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Tigers could have pieces to make deal for Tampa pitcher James Shields

July 16th, 2012 2:36 PM
  • Tigers-could-have-pieces-to-make-deal-for-Tampa-pitcher-James-Shields
  • Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher James Shields as he gets taken out of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

    • Both the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays currently sit just a half game back from the second Wild Card spot, and both teams are looking to make moves to improve their playoff chances. The Tigers are looking for more starting pitching to stabilize their inconsistent rotation, and the Rays are looking for a steady bat. They seem like a match made in heaven for a trade, their have been talks of a potential trade that would send James Shields to the Tigers, in a deal that would involve Detroit’s 15th ranked prospect, Rob Brantly. Here’s why this deal is a no brainer for the Tigers, and should be a no-go for the Rays:

    Yes, James Shields is having an off year, losing to the Red Sox last night to fall to 8-6 on the season. But Shields has proven over the past few seasons that he can be one of the best number two starters in the league, and he is a bargain at just $7 million this season.

    The Rays are in desperate need of some offense, especially at the catcher position. Jose Molina has taken the brunt of the workload behind the plate for the Rays this season, but is batting a miserable .194 with just 4 home runs, and his replacements are not much better; Jose Lobato and Chris Gimenez are batting batting .212 and .191, respectively, with no homers. Unlike the Rays, the Tigers have gotten good production behind the plate with Gerald Laird filling in during Alex Avila’s injury.

    But while Brantly has proven that he can hit but he has not proven that he is ready for the big leagues. Brantly batted .311 with 3 homeruns and 23 RBI in Double-A this year, but since moving up to Triple-A he has not homered and is batting just .259. The Rays are still very much in the playoff hunt, so the only reason to make a trade at this stage in the season would be if they could acquire players who could have an immediate impact on the field this season. Otherwise, by trading their number two pitcher, they are completely jeopardizing their playoff hopes, especially if they send Shields to one of their biggest competitors in the Wild Card standings.

    If this trade goes down, there will most likely be a dramatic shift for both the Tigers and the Rays, but in opposite directions, as the Tigers will become a Wild Card favorite or could very well overtake the White Sox for control of the AL Central. Meanwhile, the Rays can expect to fall in the standings.

    — John Power

    The veteran right-hander has struggled to an 8-6 record with a 4.44 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, but a change of scenery could help the 30-year-old, says Danny Knobler, of CBS Sports.

    Read the original post from MLive.com

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