SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres traded pitcher James Shields and cash to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Erik Johnson and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. on Saturday, three days after Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler criticized the team's recent performances as being "embarrassing" and "pathetic," and called out Shields for his poor start Tuesday at Seattle.
Shields, 34, was one of several big-name players the Padres brought in before the 2015 season, giving him a $75 million, four-year deal. The roster overhaul fizzled, as the Padres finished three games worse last year than they did in 2014.
Shields, 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA and prone to giving up home runs, leaves the last-place Padres for the White Sox, who got off to a fast start and have slid back in the AL Central.
The White Sox have been looking to boost their rotation and hope "Big Game James" can deliver. Shields has been among the most durable pitchers in the majors, making at least 31 starts every season beginning in 2007.
Shields, an All-Star in 2011, is a combined 129-104 with a 3.76 ERA overall for Tampa Bay, Kansas City and the Padres.
Tatis is the son of former big leaguer Fernando Tatis.
Associated Press
