KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As expected, the Royals extended a qualifying offer to free-agent right-hander James Shields on Monday.
Shields will have until Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. CT to accept the qualifying offer, which this year will be $15.3 million.
If Shields declines the offer, the Royals would receive an additional selection at the end of the first round of next June's First-Year Player Draft in the event he signs with another team before then.
Shields originally was believed to be in the market for a multi-year deal in the $20 million-per-year range. But a poor postseason for Shields (6.12 ERA, 1.72 WHIP) could significantly reduce his open-market value.
The question becomes whether that value already has dipped enough to make Shields actually consider taking the qualifying offer.
Last year, three significant free agents -- Ervin Santana, Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales -- all turned down the qualifying offer from their previous teams and then wound up signing after the season began for significantly less money.
The Royals are not expected to get involved in a free-agent bidding war for Shields if he turns down the qualifying offer, though general manager Dayton Moore has indicated he will closely monitor the situation.
Shields has said he would not be opposed to returning to the Royals.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
