White Sox decline $16 million option on Shields

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have declined their $16 million option on James Shields and exercised a $2 million buyout, making the veteran right-hander a free agent.
Chicago also exercised a $4.65 million team option on reliever Nate Jones and reinstated right-hander Michael Kopech from the 60-day disabled list Monday.
Shields was 7-16 with a 4.53 ERA in 34 appearances — 33 starts — last season. He had a 5.31 ERA in 2½ years with the White Sox, who acquired him f