Rays, Rangers Discussing Deal For James Shields

James Shields has been a solid part of the Tampa Bay Rays rotation for several seasons. And the Rays stand just three games behind the second wild-card spot in the American League as of Tuesday morning.

That's why this is something of a surprise:

Sources: #Rays and #Rangers have had discussions about trade involving James Shields. @mlbonfox

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2012

The Rays must feel they have enough starting pitchers stockpiled that they could afford the loss of Shields, who is not having a year commensurate with the rest of his career; he's ballooned to a 4.56 ERA and 1.456 WHIP in 2012, both far worse than his 2011 season and his career averages.

Meanwhile, the Rangers have gotten very little out of their recent signing of Roy Oswalt, who was hit hard by the Angels Monday night, so they're seeking starting rotation help. Whether this will pass beyond the discussion stage in the short time before the deadline is anyone's guess.

Rumor: List Of James Shields' Suitors Grows Longer

It's been largely under the radar, but you can add James Shields to the list of high-quality starting pitchers who seem to be available on the trade market, along with Zack Greinke, Ryan Dempster, and Matt Garza.

Here's Jon Heyman:

The rival Rangers and Dodgers have joined the Angels in the hunt for Big Game James Shields, sources told CBSSports.com.

All three teams have made offers but the Rays are waiting for someone to do better for the former All-Star right-hander.

--snip--

The Rays have told teams they would listen on three coeveted right-handers, including Jeremy Hellickson and Wade Davis, but Shields is the logical candidate to go since he's 30 and has a $9 million team option for 2013, pricey for the Rays but reasonable for big-market teams.

Let's not miss how good Shields really is. Yes, he seems to have taken a big tumble from last season, when he finished with a 2.82 ERA and led the league in both complete games (11) and shutouts (4). This season, his ERA is 4.39 and he doesn't have a single complete game. And there's this tidbit, from an anonymous scout: "His stuff is still good but he hasn't had Shields-like command.''

Well, okay. But Shields' strikeout rate is up slightly this season, and the difference between his walk rate this season and his career walk rate is ... eight walks.

That's right. Eight walks in 20 starts is the only statistical difference between Shields this season and Shields being Shields-like. Which is why other teams should be attracted to him. Oh, and the reason for the massive difference between last year's and this year's ERAs is simple: last year Shields gave up a .260 batting average on balls in play, and this year he's given up a .339 batting average on balls in play. The TRUTH is almost exactly in the middle of those two figures.

So, again, it's easy to see why teams would want him. And if the Rays do trade him, it doesn't mean they're giving up on the season. Close, though. With Jeff Niemann still recovering from a broken fibula and not expected back until late August, the Rays might turn to rookie Chris Archer, their best pitching prospect. Archer's probably going to be real good, but his performance in Class AAA this season suggests he's not quite there yet.

Angels Reportedly Talk James Shields Trade

On the one hand, the Angels have done a fabulous job of recovering from an ugly start, standing presently five games behind the Rangers in the AL West. On the other hand, the team still has holes, most notably at the back of the rotation where Ervin Santana owns a 6.00 ERA through 19 starts. The Angels have been said to have interest in swinging a trade for a starting pitcher, and Tim Kurkjian identifies one potential starting pitcher acquisition. Quote:

The Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays have discussed a deal involving pitcher James Shields, a source said Tuesday.

The trade would send Shields to the Angels in exchange for center fielder Peter Bourjos and catcher Hank Conger, according to the source.

There's no word on whether the proposed deal is dead or alive, or how close it might be to happening. But it's easy to see how it could make sense, as the Angels would add a top-of-the-line starter, and the Rays would add value at two important positions now and down the road. Bourjos is a fantastic defensive center fielder who could succeed B.J. Upton, and Conger could conceivably be the answer behind the plate.

Shields' contract includes club options for each of the next two seasons. Bourjos, 25, has struggled at the plate this season in the majors, but he was productive a year ago, and Conger has hit well with triple-A Salt Lake.

James Shields Generating Trade Rumors

Will the Tampa Bay Rays move James Shields in advance of the trade deadline? The answer is a resounding "perhaps".