Three pitchers have club options for 2012 yet are not named on our free agent list. The reason? They'd still be arbitration eligible if the options are declined. Let's take a look.
- James Shields, Rays: $7MM club option with a $2MM buyout. This is a slam dunk, as Shields' arbitration salary would certainly beat the $5MM net price of the option. Plus, exercising for 2012 allows the Rays to enjoy options for '13 ($7.5MM net) and '14 ($11MM net). It should be noted that Shields' contract, signed prior to the '08 season, includes $6MM in performance bonuses.
- Fausto Carmona, Indians: $7MM club option. Carmona signed three months after Shields, and his contract also provides the ultimate in team flexibility with three club options. Carmona's 2012 option does require pause, but it's worth exercising as well.
- Colby Lewis, Rangers: $3.25MM club option with a $250K buyout. Coming from a $3MM salary, Lewis would obviously beat the $3MM net price of the option. So this one will be picked up as well.
Would love to see a Reds/Rays trade for Shields this winter.
Reds get Shields.
Rays get Alonso, Grandal, and 2 out of Bailey/Wood/Volquez
Sounds like a good deal. Im not a fan of either team so…
I’d take that, but make it Price instead of Shields, and include Zach Cozart instead of the pitchers. Oh, and an extension for Price.
Shields has cost certainty through 2014 (Price final arb year is 2012). Cozart is the shortstop of the future for the Reds so he will not be heading anywhere. FO for the Reds have called Cozart the most complete prospect promoted this year as far as being prepared to play winning baseball daily.
What about Jeff Samardzija?