Coming as no surprise, James Shields will not be wearing a White Sox uniform next year.
As reported on ESPN.com, “The Chicago White Sox have declined their $16 million option on James Shields and exercised a $2 million buyout, making the veteran right-hander a free agent.”
Though most likely past his prime, the former All-Star was a veteran leader who many young Sox players looked at as a mentor.
In addition, the White Sox picked up a $4.65 million option on closer Nate Jones. The move makes it much more likely that Jones – presently the most tenured player on the team – will be back in 2019.