Should the Yankees Pursue 'Big Game' James Shields?

Yes, this Yankees off-season isn't surrounded with the financial goal of getting under the $189 million line, and no it doesn't appear as if the Yankees are interested in going on another half a billion dollar shopping spree, but Brian Cashman and co. will certainly be active come December 8th. 

One of the bigger free-agent candidates said to be on the Yankees radar is 'Big Game' James Shields. The 6'3" 2015 lb right-hander will turn 33 this December, and is coming off a 14-8 season with the Kansas City Royals  in which he pitched 227 innings while posting a 3.21 ERA, 180 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP. Contrary to his strong season, James Shields is faltering this post-season, where in just four games, including last night's World Series game one loss to Madison Bumgarner, he's pitched to a 1-1 record with a 1.79 WHIP and a 7.11 ERA. 

Having said all that, should - or should the Yankees not target James Shields this winter?

Let's take a look at his pros and cons.

Pros;

James Shield is an inning-eating work horse machine. In each of his eight full major league seasons he has hurled more than 200 innings. Though James Shield's isn't a dominant shut down pitcher by any means, as his 3.72 career ERA suggest, he is certainly reliable. The idea of adding 200 + innings to an injury plagued staff with question marks already surrounding the health status of C.C. Sabathia (knee),  Masahiro Tanaka (elbow), Ivan Nova (shoulder) and Michael Pineda (shoulder) has to be somewhat appealing to the New York Yankee decision-makers. 

The Yankees starting pitching may once again have the potential to be strong and deep, but that all depends on how the aforementioned pitchers bounce back from their injuries. Yes, they have some depth with Shane Greene, Manny Banuelos and Luis Servino in the wings and  the potential of re-signing Brandon McCarthy, but they all come with a level of uncertainty. 

Cons;

Durability. Shields is turning 33 and has thrown 200 + innings forever, so at some point it's likely that he begins to break down. Obviously the Yankees don't wan't this to happen while they have him under contract. This risk is always the main issue when it comes to big name free-agent pitchers. 

All in all, the Yankees may be scared away by James Shields age and the potential wear and tear in his right arm, plus his mis-guided reputation. As I alluded to earlier, James Shield's nickname is 'Big Game' James, but that might have as much to do with the rhyme as it does his success, considering his career post-season ERA is 5.74 in just ten games including his game one loss this past Tuesday to open up the World Series. 

The Verdict;

The Yankees should go after James Shields.

While pitching, despite the countless injuries was a positive for the Yankees in 2014,  I still think they'll be wise to upgrade it even more if they wan't to make playoffs in 2015.

Like other free-agent targets of the Yankees, I would have limits in what I was willing to do. If Cashman can limit a deal to four or five years for James Shields, it's an absolute buy.