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Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly targeted James Shields

Prior to Brandon McCarthy agreeing to terms, the Diamondbacks reportedly had their eye on James Shields.

J. Meric

The Arizona Diamondbacks were working to obtain the services of James Shields, reports Buster Olney. though the signing of free agent Brandon McCarthy put an end to that. A deal for Shields, currently under contract to the Tampa Bay Rays, would likely have required a younger pitcher in exchange.

Sheilds started 33 games for the Rays in 2012, going 15-10 with a 3.52 ERA while holding opponents to a .239 batting average. He has a lifetime average of 7.7 strikeouts and 2.1 walks per nine innings. In comparison, McCarthy started 18 games for the Oakland Athletics in 2012 before a vicious and fluke head injury. He went 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA and a .267 batting average for opponents. Over the course of his seven year career he has averaged 6.1 strikeouts and 2.6 walks per nine innings.

McCarthy's two-year deal is for a total of $15.5 million, but much of that is on the back end. The deal is pending a physical, so things are not quite completely settled with Arizona.