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Rays May Be Willing To Trade Shields

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 16, 2012 at 1:55pm CDT

The Rays are suggesting to other teams that they will listen to trade offers for right-hander James Shields, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Rival teams have heard that the Rays intend to decide on a course of action after their upcoming home series against the Indians and Mariners, Knobler writes.

The Rays, now 46-43, have told teams they still expect to contend for the playoffs this year. The Tigers could have interest in Shields, Knobler suggests. Opposing scouts believe Shields has become frustrated and would pitch better in another environment, according to Knobler.  

There’s no doubt that many teams would have interest in Shields given his age, durability and contract status. The 30-year-old earns $7MM in 2012 and his contract includes club options for 2013 ($9MM with a $1.5MM buyout) and 2014 ($12MM with a $1MM buyout). Shields, the third-place finisher in last year's AL Cy Young voting, has completed at least 200 innings in every one of his five full seasons. He has a 4.44 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 123 2/3 innings so far in 2012. 

The Rays’ rotation currently includes Shields, David Price, Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb. Jeff Niemann, on the disabled list with a fractured fibula, and Chris Archer, now in the minor leagues, provide Tampa Bay with a pair of additional options.

MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes recently discussed trade candidates who could eventually be tied to draft pick compensation. Shields could net a compensatory draft choice following a trade, as long as the acquiring team exercises his 2013 option. For more on potentially available starting pitchers click here.

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71 Comments

  1. dylanp5030

    13 years ago

    They should be able to get a couple really good prospects for him. I would think they would target a catcher and a 1B for him. Reds probably could have had him for the same deal as Latos.

    Reply
    • Jeff 31

      13 years ago

       How about this:  Hinske, Gattis, and Hanson or Teheran for Shields.

      Reply
      • dylanp5030

        13 years ago

        They won’t want Hinske. Gattis is putting up good numbers but is old for the league. Hanson Or Teheran is nice but they’d want the centerpiece to be a C or 1B, not a pitcher

        Reply
      • vtadave

        13 years ago

        Eric Hinske?

        Reply
    • notsureifsrs

      13 years ago

      should have been able to get*

      too late now. the time to trade him was this offseason

      Reply
  2. brewersfan729

    13 years ago

    He has 2.7 BB/9, not 4.4.

    Reply
  3. verlander

    13 years ago

    I’d do this in a heartbeat.

    Reply
    • EightMileCats

      13 years ago

       That’d look great going down the stretch.  A 1/2 of JV/Shields would be nice

      Reply
  4. Shane Maples

    13 years ago

    While I’m glad we traded for Latos over Shields, I will say that if we offered TB the same package and they declined, they have to be kicking theirselves right now. Grandal and Alonso would for sure be a boost for them offensively.

    Reply
  5. RiverKKiller999

    13 years ago

    An interesting pitcher to go after but yet an incosistent one too.

    Reply
    • JaysGLawrie

      13 years ago

      que???

      Reply
    • alexw2840

      13 years ago

      He’s still a work-horse that can lead a staff when hot. A change of scenery may be just what he needs. Depending on a stagnant Rays offense every start is very frustrating. 

      Reply
    • Ryan

      13 years ago

      His ERA has been inconsistent, but he’s very consistent if you look at his DIPs stats.  Over the past six years, other than last year’s 3.42, his FIP has been between 3.82-4.24 and he has thrown 200+ innings every season. 

      Reply
    • vtadave

      13 years ago

      Inconsistent?

      On his way to sixth straight season of 31+ starts.
      Consistent xFIP, BB and K rates…

      Honestly, isn’t he one of the MORE consistent guys around?

      Reply
      • mainesox

        13 years ago

        He isn’t nearly as inconsistent as his ERA would suggest, but he’s hardly one of the more consistent guys around.  His xFIP has swung 75 points, his FIP and SIERA have both swung ~100 points, his BB/9 has swung more than a full walk, and his K/9 has swung more than 1.5 Ks.

        Reply
        • vtadave

          13 years ago

          And Verlander’s has swung 158 points.  Take the last 3 years of Shields and you have 3.55, 3.25, and this year 3.47. Walks are up a little, but so are his strikeouts. Ground balls are way up and he’s been a little unlucky on balls in play given that his line drive rate is within his career norms. Just check out the metrics on the TB infield defense. Other than Pena, brutal.

          Reply
          • mainesox

            13 years ago

            I don’t know what Verlander has to do with anything, first of all.  And I never said he was inconsistent (in fact, I specifically said he wasn’t nearly as inconsistent as his ERA would suggest), he’s just not one of the more consistent guys around.  His peripherals aren’t any less consistent than the next guys, but they aren’t really any more consistent either, he’s just “normal.”

            The “more consistent guys” would be guys like Sabathia whose FIP, xFIP, and SIERA have all only fluctuated ~50 points over the last 7 years.

            Reply
          • notsureifsrs

            13 years ago

            FIP- (100 is league average), 2012-2009

            100
            89
            106
            95

            ERA- (100 is league average), 2012-2009

            115
            72
            131
            97

            SIERA, 2012-2009

            3.49
            3.29
            3.57
            3.99

            tERA, 2012-2009

            4.05
            3.47
            4.32
            4.18

            Reply
  6. Guest 4396

    13 years ago

    Given there need for 1B and C, how about a trade to Atlanta including catcher Chris Bethancourt or a trade to Anaheim including 1B C.J Cron or a guy like Jean Segura. This also probably means they will be willing to shop around B.J Upton.

    Reply
    • Shane Maples

      13 years ago

      I think Shields could put up some good numbers in Atlanta. Another thing people gotta see is his numbers are bound to improve getting out of the AL East.

      Reply
      • Guest 4395

        13 years ago

        Great point. A ton of people say he won’t net much of a return compared to last year which is 100% true, but this guy is AL East proven, 2+ years of control for a fair amount of money, and like you said his numbers will improve pitching in the NL facing a pitcher. I think he is a good fit for Atlanta given there starting pitching needs.

        Reply
        • Shane Maples

          13 years ago

          Well said.

          Reply
        • David D

          13 years ago

          I don’t want him to go to the Braves.  I am a Braves fan, and for all the talk about him being better against the NL, well in 26 career starts against the NL, he has a 4.29 ERA

          Take out the 14 games he has pitched against weaker teams (Marlins, Astros, Mets) the past few years, then it is 12 games against better NL teams with a 5.652 ERA

          Reply
    • cookmeister

      13 years ago

      i could see the angels in on shields.  something around Cron or maybe Conger + might get it done

      Reply
  7. HenryLear

    13 years ago

    Why would he be frustrated? Hes best friends with David Price and doesnt dislike anyone on the team, hes pitching on a pretty good team, nice area, with little pressure.

    Reply
    • Ryan

      13 years ago

       I think they mean frustrated by his performance.

      Reply
  8. Randy Wiseman

    13 years ago

    they be lucky to get drew stubbs now though

    Reply
    • TophersReds

      13 years ago

      Did I hear Drew Stubbs for James Shields? Who do I call?

      Reply
    • vtadave

      13 years ago

      Lucky? How so?

      Reply
  9. baseballdude

    13 years ago

    I would be willing to do turner and brantly for shields.

    Reply
  10. swing1

    13 years ago

    Under a reasonable team control til 2014? Blue Jays HAVE to go after him. No excuses. This isn’t a 20 million dollar sucker punch contract to the team. 

    Reply
    • Jacob Viets

      13 years ago

      No way he’s traded to the Blue Jays. Tampa doesn’t do trades within their division.

      Reply
      • bjfan

        13 years ago

        If the Jays offer the Rays what they need, they won’t care about trading in their division.  If the Jays were willing to trade Halladay in their own division, I am sure the Rays can part with Shields.  JPA and Adam Lind.

        Reply
        • Dynasty22

          13 years ago

          Are you suggesting J.P and Lind for Shields?

          Reply
  11. tomymogo

    13 years ago

    Braves should be a favorite

    Reply
    • Jeff 31

      13 years ago

      What would it take to get him? At least Teheran I’m sure.

       Should be give them Hanson for Shields as a win now move?

      Reply
  12. 22deputydo33

    13 years ago

    i think the rays ought to hold on to james shields. they will eventually overtake the orioles and be one of the wild card teams at the end of the season. they might be having a tough tme now,but i think they will right their ship.

    Reply
    • Lefty

      13 years ago

      You need to get ahold of yourself.
      “You’ve got to be able to handle your own intensity!”
      How can you say this? Especially with Longoria all busted up?
      O’s get to the playoffs by default this year. :p

      Reply
    • alexw2840

      13 years ago

      They’re not giving up lol……I can assure you

      Reply
  13. diesel2410

    13 years ago

    Rays need a bat or a catcher/shortstop. If you don’t have any, you aren’t getting Shields

    Reply
  14. Kyle

    13 years ago

    Should have done it last season when his value soared. They’ll be offered almost half of what they were offered then.

    Reply
  15. 1980CHAMPS

    13 years ago

    This time last year most rational baseball fans and insiders would have known the Rays could’ve got a kings ransom for Shields.  They instead hold on him and 12 months later are going to get a small fraction in return.  
    Andrew Friedman is, imo, the best GM in baseball but he really dropped the ball with this one.

    Reply
    • John Stefan

      13 years ago

       Hindsight has perfect 20/20 vision

      Reply
      • CubsFan5

        13 years ago

        His value was very very high last season, was there a chance he could improve on that, but what are the chances of it happening. Instead he regressed and lost that value. Hindsight may be 20/20, but at some point you have to realize that it’s going to be very difficult to beat that years stat line. 

        Reply
        • dewaynestats

          13 years ago

          I don’t think anyone in their right mind (and Friedman is by all accounts in his right mind) expected Shields to repeat last year’s performance. 

          What he was expecting, in my opinion, is for the Rays to field one of the best teams they have ever had this season, and make a real shot at winning another pennant and getting to the WS. Having even half of what Shields was last season should have been a huge factor in that push, but all of the unexpected injuries and general stroke of bad luck has derailed that plan to some extent. 

          Reply
          • alexw2840

            13 years ago

            Exactly. Spot on.

            Reply
  16. txftw

    13 years ago

    Since the Rangers are in on everyone and targeted him last year, they probably have interest

    Reply
  17. alexw2840

    13 years ago

    I’d prefer he go to an NL club.

    Reply
  18. Matt

    13 years ago

    Tigers:  Turner, Brantly and a low-level guy would probably get it done.  Dare I say Porcello could be offered instead of Turner?  As a Tigers fan I would be OK with this.  Always a big fan of Shields.  Contract looks manageable for a #2 type guy.

    Reply
    • alexw2840

      13 years ago

      My gut instinct tells me Friedman is looking for big bats, so I would toss Turner out of the deal and Brantly doesn’t have a lot of pop.

      Reply
    • EightMileCats

      13 years ago

       If that were what it’d take, I’d jump in on that in a heartbeat. 
      Don’t get me wrong, I still think Porcello/Turner are going to grow into 2-3 type pitchers.  Solid middle of the rotation guys.  But if I could get Shields behind JV and in front of Fister/Smyly/Scherzer.  All day.  It’d be a scary rotation

      Reply
  19. Justin 26

    13 years ago

    I could see the cardinals interfere

    Reply
  20. ArchRivals

    13 years ago

     What would you suggest the Redbirds offer for Shields?

    Reply
    • stl_cards16

      13 years ago

      It’d be tough because I don’t think they’d include Taveras or Wong for different reasons.  They would probably include Miller this year, but that’s probably selling low on a very young pitcher who is still striking out a lot of people at a level he’s even a little young for.  Cox is expendable, but they have Longoria so not sure they’d be interested in him.

      I would do something like Shelby Miller, Matt Adams, and Jordan Swagerty….really don’t know how close that would be.

      Edit: Looking again, I doubt that’d be enough. maybe add in a live bullpen arm like Sanchez

      Reply
  21. Ryan

    13 years ago

    I don’t think this will be enough and Detroit will probably
    have to add some B- type prospects or switch out Castellanos for Turner. 
    I know Tiger fans don’t want to hear that, but we’ve already seen the market
    for TOR, cost controlled SP.  Oakland received 3 top 100 prospects for Gio
    Gonzalez.  Cleveland and San Diego each received 2 top 50 prospects for
    Ubaldo Jimenez and Mat Latos.  The Rays
    received two top 100 prospects plus for Matt Garza and James Shields will
    receive a similar type of return.  I think
    it will take either 2 top 100 prospects plus some lower guys or a stud, top 20
    type of prospect plus a C+ guy like Brantley to make it happen. 

    Reply
    • goodgm

      13 years ago

      i didnt know the indians traded ubaldo jimenez.

      Reply
  22. Ryan

    13 years ago

    This was supposed to be in response to the Tiger fans saying Turner and Brantley. 

    Reply
    • Matt

      13 years ago

       I doubt Friedman is slow enough to accept a “quantity” trade like the one the Tigers used for Fister. 

      Reply
  23. Charles Burns

    13 years ago

    Hmm, this is interesting, considering there are two kind of darkhorse teams that I think will try and pick up Shields considering they have what the Rays want:  a decent MLB ready catcher, and that of course is the Rangers and Mariners.  Not so sure if the M’s will go for it considering they are not going to be in the run for the playoffs, but Shields would give them a strong chip for a team that could easily be ready by next year, and easy trade bait is Olivio (or however he wants his named spelled) and maybe a few other B- prospects that the M’s seems to not want to really use in AAA.  And I could see the Rangers easily trading Torrealba and maybe Kirkman or some okay prospects in AA or AAA, instead of going after Hamels and Grienke.  Dunno, but this might be interesting. 

    Reply
    • Mauck98

      13 years ago

      I thnk Atlanta would be an ideal landing spot for him, with probably the best OF defense in the NL, plus better than average defense on the IF wih Simmons & freeman.

      I say build a deal like this

      Braves get: James Shields & Jake McGee

      Rays get: christian Bethancourt, Joey terdlosavich, Zeke Spruill, and Carlos Perez.

      Reply
  24. Christian Hamby

    13 years ago

    Just don’t worry about the deals here. Friedman will get the deal he wants, and if not, the Rays keep him and wait next year. They are more likely to shop Upton this year, but if the Rays are serious about contending this year, they should trade Shields for major league level catching and shortstops, and maybe 1-2 prospects. Their system is already loaded.

    Reply
  25. Tim R

    13 years ago

     Garza or Shields as a Tigs fan would be fantastic. The issue is that they will likely not be able to hold one of Porcello/Scherzer after 2013 due to rising costs…so do you hold onto Turner and backfill Porcello? Or does Illitch say ‘I’m 82 and I wanna win” and do something like Turner and Brantley…Brantley won’t be a 30 HR guy but he’s a good hitter with some pop…Lucroy/Doumit type w/o the injury issues….Go get em DD!

    Reply

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