James Shields Leadership Will Be Tough to Replace

The Kansas City Royals have a void atop their rotation. While James Shields may not have performed like a true ace in the Clayton Kershaw or Felix Hernandez mold, he was exactly what the Royals needed from their top starter. He performed well, provided excellent veteran leadership and helped change the culture of the team. Such a player is not easily replaced.

However, that is exactly what the Royals are facing in the 2015 season. While Shields is still a free agent, the chances that he will be walking into the home clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium next season, other than to say hello to former teammates, is remote. Even with the recent spending spree, the Royals just are not likely to shell out the type of contract that Shields is looking for, and that is likely the correct move.

So, the Royals, in theory, need to replace James Shields. Yes, they brought in Edinson Volquez, and while he may match Shields production, he is not going to provide the intangibles one expects from a top of the rotation starter. Jason Vargas and Jeremy Guthrie are solid veteran pitchers, but neither will be confused with an ace. Kris Medlen has the potential to pitch like an ace when healthy, yet that health is a giant question mark.

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That would then leave Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura as the two pitchers that could, in theory, step into that Shields role. Duffy, in his first full season back from Tommy John Surgery, put together what was easily the best season of his career. However, can he follow that up with another similar season? Ventura possesses the 100+ MPH fastball and certainly has the mindset of an ace, but can he step into that role this early in his career?

Yet, does that truly matter? Do the Royals really need to replace those leadership qualities displayed by James Shields? So often, especially these days, baseball becomes a game where the numbers are stressed over everything else. By those statistics, Shields should be able to be replaced atop that rotation; his 3.21 ERA and 1.181 WHiP were solid, but Ventura, Duffy or even Volquez could match those marks.

That leadership, especially on a team that is still towards the younger side on the pitching staff, could be the biggest loss. Guthrie is certainly a leader, and players like Ventura or Duffy could grow into that role, but the Royals do not appear to have that battle tested starter with playoff experience ready to step in.

The 2015 season will certainly be fascinating for the Royals. For the first time since 1986, they enter the season fresh off an appearance in the World Series. Dayton Moore has made what appear to be the proper moves to improve the team. Yet, they do not have that veteran leader fronting the rotation.

The Royals may miss James Shields more for his intangibles than for what he did on the mound. They can certainly replace his statistics, but can they replace that leadership? That may be a major factor in the Royals fortunes next season.