Report: D-backs in the mix for free agent pitcher James Shields

When word rang out last week that an unidentified team was offering free-agent pitcher James Shields a contract worth $110 million, more than a few people thought that figure was on the obscene side.

Shields is good, sure, but he’s also 33 and has pitched a lot of innings in his nine-year big-league career. Most people pegged Shields’ value at about $90 million heading into the offseason. So, $110 million? Wowzers. 

Well, it doesn’t sound like an $110 million deal is happening. Plus, a new player in the Shields mix indicates his market may be a lot more modest, like less than $100 million. From Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports, who also had the news about the $110 million offer:

Sources: #DBacks in mix for Shields, a strong indication that his market is not at $100M; AZ is not willing to spend for him at that level.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 13, 2015

Shields did not want to go to team that made $110M offer, source tells me and @jonmorosi. An NL GM had speculated that, per @nickcafardo.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 13, 2015

The Diamondbacks, under new general manager Dave Stewart, have been aggressive this offseason, rebuilding their team and making trades. Most notably, they signed Cuban import Yasmany Tomas. They could certainly benefit from Shields, too — especially in the competitive NL West. Stewart confirmed Arizona’s interest in Shields to Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic. 

In fact, Stewart said he thinks Shields might like the D-backs because they’re, ummmm, “a true baseball team.” 

“I think James is a throwback guy by the way he goes about his business and the innings he pitches,” Stewart said. “I think the fact that Tony (La Russa) is here and that we have more baseball people – he probably sees us as a true baseball team vs. some of the other teams out here that are geared more toward analytics and those type of things.

“Sometimes, there are concessions the player will make to be here. It’s the case that he likes what we’re doing with our organization from our end, all we can hope is that there will be concessions enough that he can be here.”

The D-backs, however, aren’t the only fit for Shields, as Rosenthal adds:

#Marlins still good fit for Shields. GM Jennings drafted Shields for #Rays. Pitching coach Hernandez was with TB when Shields was in minors.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 13, 2015

Shields also fits #Marlins’ need for veteran starter; Latos potential FA, Haren possible trade. But will ownership keep spending? Unclear.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 13, 2015

Teams such as the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and even the Chicago Cubs would be boosted by adding a pitcher of Shields’ caliber. So much of where Shields lands depends on the price tag, and it would appear that’s coming down. 

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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz