Programming note: For the latest news from the MLB Winter Meetings, tune into SportsNet Central tonight at 6 p.m., 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
The Giants are hot after a frontline pitcher, and they appear to be engaging all their options, including one they beat twice in the World Series this year -- Royals free agent James Shields.
Shields, who turns 33 next Saturday, went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA over 34 starts for the Royals last season.
A pillar of consistency, the nine-year veteran has made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 200 innings in every year after his rookie season.
An All-Star in 2011, Shields was 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in two World Series starts against the Giants this year.
The Giants have indicated starting pitching is an "important need" for the team, even though they have a five-man rotation ready for 2015: Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Tim Hudson, Tim Lincecum and Yusmeiro Petit.
Aside from Shields, Max Scherzer, Ervin Santana, Hiroki Kuroda, Brett Anderson, Justin Masterson, Edinson Volquez, Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong are among the top free agent starters still available.
