ST. PETERSBURG — Rays right-hander James Shields was arguably the best pitcher in interleague play last season, winning three of four starts and throwing three complete games against National League opponents.

But Shields shouldered the blame for Friday night’s 5-3 loss to Atlanta, with his two-out walk in the fifth inning and his throwing error sparking a two-run rally that gave the Braves the lead for good.

The loss, in front of 19,689 at Tropicana Field, was the Rays’ second in a row and fourth in their past five at home.

“Two-out walks are unacceptable,” Shields said. “It’s a terrible job by me. That changed the whole game. That was the game right there.”

The Rays had tied it in the third after falling behind 2-0. Shields settled into a rhythm, retiring nine of 10 batters in a stretch before the walk to Martin Prado. Shields then committed a throwing error trying to pick him off first base. Freddie Freeman then ripped a double to knock in Prado, and two batters later, catcher Brian McCann added an RBI single.

“I’ve got to do a better job as a pitcher to bear down and get that out,” Shields said. “I’m definitely going to put that loss on me tonight.”

The Braves struck first in the opening inning. Prado hit a double and Freeman followed with a single to score him. In the second, Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, bringing his farewell tour to the Trop, started a rally.

Jones, who received a standing ovation before his first at-bat, ripped a single to center, then came around to score on a two-out wild pitch by Shields.

Whether Jones plays again in this three-game series remains to be seen. He left the game in the seventh inning with a left calf bruise, having been hit in the left leg by a grounder in the third.

But the Rays bounced back, with Luke Scott and Jeff Keppinger hitting back-to-back singles in the bottom half of the first, putting runners on first and third. Elliot Johnson then laid down a perfect safety squeeze bunt down the first-base line to score one run.

In the third inning, Tampa Bay (24-16) tied it up, thanks to a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Scott, who picked up three hits one night after stranding seven runners in Thursday’s loss to the Red Sox

Shields, who entered Friday’s game with a major-league-leading six wins, saw his pitch count rise quickly in the Braves’ two-run fifth, and he was pulled after six innings and 115 pitches.

“That was the moment right there,” Maddon said. “If we had gotten through that moment, it could have been a different night.”

Atlanta added an insurance run in the seventh, when Prado blasted a solo home run off reliever J.P. Howell.

Lefty Cesar Ramos got out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, keeping the Rays within striking distance.

Scott had another RBI single in the eighth, but that was as close as Tampa Bay would get.

For Shields, it was his second loss in his last three starts.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

The Tampa Bay Rays have one of the deepest and most talented starting pitching rotations in the Major Leagues. They’re in the same class as the starting rotations for the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals.

Every starting rotation has an ace. The Phillies have Roy Halladay, the Giants have Tim Lincecum, the Angles have Jered Weaver and the Nationals have Stephen Strasburg.

Over the past two seasons James Shields has re-established himself as the clear ace of the Rays staff.

In 2007, when the Rays were still the perennial bottom feeding Devil Rays, Shields first became entrenched as the most consistent pitcher in Tampa Bay. It was his first full season in the Major Leagues and he posted a solid 12-8 record with a 3.85 ERA while throwing 215 innings.

Shields continued to be the face of the Rays pitching staff in 2008 when he anchored a rotation that led the Rays all the way to the World Series. Along the way Shields posted a 14-8 record with a 3.56 ERA over 215 innings. He tossed three complete games and two shutouts. In 2008 he lived up to his nickname, “Big Game”.

Unfortunately, Shields saw his effectiveness decrease in 2009 when he went 11-12 with a 4.14 ERA.

David Price, the Rays flame throwing lefty, surpassed Shields as the ace of the Rays staff in 2010 while leading the Rays to their second AL East title in three years. During that season Price went 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA.

One of the few disappointments for the Rays in 2010 was the performance of James Shields. His record slipped to 13-15 and his ERA ballooned up to 5.18. Rays fans stopped calling him “Big Game” and his nickname became “James Yields”.

Before the 2011 season, the Rays coaching staff talked about how they had corrected Shields mechanics and expected him to once again be one of the elite pitchers in the American League. Shields and the Rays were optimistic that he would return to the form he displayed from 2007-2008, but Rays’ fans were skeptical.

In 2011, Shields wasn’t the same “Big Game” Rays fans saw in 2007 and 2008. He was even better. He posted career bests in wins (16), ERA (2.82), complete games (11), shutouts (4), innings pitched (249.1) and strike outs (225). His exceptional performance was rewarded by being chosen for his first All-Star game and finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting.

Based on his stellar performance in 2011, the Rays named Shields their opening day starter for the 2012 season. At the start of the season the Rays talked about how they were fortunate to have two number one starters in their rotation. Shields was 1 and David Price was 1-A.

The 2012 season got off to a shaky start for Shields. During the season opener, against the New York Yankees, he gave up six earned runs in just five innings. However, in his last three starts (3-0), Shields has been lights out. He’s thrown 24.1 innings and allowed just three runs en route to victories over the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.

While continuing to prove that he is one of the top pitchers in the AL, Shields has clearly established himself as the true number one starter in the Rays rotation.

Sean McDonnell has been a resident of the Tampa Bay area for the past 21 years. He is an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Rays; Tampa Bay Bucs and USF Bulls.

*statistics provided by Yahoo sports

Sources:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml

Additional articles from this author:

Rays Feel Good Story Comes to an End as Upton Returns from the DL: A Fan’s Take

David Price Continues to Labor as Rays Pound Jays: A Fan’s Take

Rays Offense Continues to Struggle as They Await Upton’s Return: A Fan’s Take

Are the Rays Early Season Pitching Woes a Cause for Concern?: A Fan’s Take

Four Possible Replacements for Sam Fuld: A Fan’s Take

The Tampa Bay Rays rallied for an impressive victory on Wednesday afternoon, scoring four in the ninth to beat the Detroit Tigers, 4-2.

After being held to one hit by Tigers ace Justin Verlander through the first eight innings, the Rays got three off him in the ninth, Evan Longoria singling in Desmond Jennings to tie it.

Jeff Keppinger got them started with a single. After Reid Brignac struck out, Jennings singled to right. Carlos Pena walked, with Keppinger scoring on a ball-four wild pitch. Longoria then singled in Jennings.

After the Tigers went to the bullpen, Elliot Johnson drew a walk and Ben Zobrist singled in two runs to put them ahead.

The Rays were stifled much of the afternoon, with just Zobrist’s fifth-inning single to show for their efforts.

James Shields pitched well for the Rays, allowing a first-inning run on a single by Miguel Cabrera, and the other in the fifth when he balked on a throw to third after Andy Dirks doubled and went to third on a ground out.

The Rays face the Tigers again on Thursday afternoon, with Jeff Niemann on the mound.

Josh Beckett had no problem pitching against a division rival so close to the start of the regular season.

Beckett tossed five innings of one-hit ball and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-0 on Tuesday.

“Josh is working on his changeup a little, and I thought threw a lot of really good pitches today,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “I think he got his work in, put up a bunch of zeros, was competitive working against their hitters and I think that’s what he needed. He’ll have one more short (start). But he had pretty good stuff today.”

Beckett struck out five and walked three while lowering his spring ERA to 0.95 in five starts. He threw 84 pitches, 49 for strikes.

The All-Star right-hander thinks he is very close to being ready to start the season, but still has things to work on.

“As far as arm strength and stuff goes there’s still stuff you got to figure out during the season, too,” he said. “I think if you hit the ground running in April, you’re probably not very old. So spring training’s, in my opinion, a little bit long. But it’s to get everybody ready.”

Beckett is scheduled to start Boston’s home opener on April 13 against the Rays. This was the only time he faced them in spring training.

“I think you could face a team once during spring training,” he said. “But, yeah, I definitely think there comes a familiar approach, if you will, especially when it comes to how you got to a pitch or how you got a guy out. The more times he sees that the more times he’s going to have either video or a mental log of, ‘OK, this is how he got me out. This is what he’s going to do this time.’”

Tampa Bay was shut out for this third time this spring. The Rays managed just three hits; a double by Jose Lobaton, and singles from Desmond Jennings and Ben Zobrist.

Cody Ross hit a three-run homer off Joel Peralta in the second. He leads the Red Sox with four home runs this spring.

With Tampa Bay’s James Shields pitching in a minor league game, reliever Fernando Rodney started for the Rays and threw one hitless inning.

Rays right-hander Brandon Gomes, coming off back surgery, recorded two outs in the seventh and was charged with four runs. He walked four and allowed one hit.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he felt Gomes, coming off back surgery, was close to being completely healthy but not quite there yet. Gomes agreed.

“I’m confident I’m still very close to where I need to be,” he said.

NOTES: The Red Sox made a series of roster moves. SS Jose Iglesias and 1B Lars Anderson were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. RHPs Justin Germano and Doug Mathis and OF Josh Kroeger were reassigned to minor league camp. … The Red Sox are off on Wednesday, but will have several pitchers in minor league games. RHPs Clay Buchholz and Andrew Bailey are scheduled to pitch in the Triple-A game, while RHPs Aaron Cook and Vicente Padilla are scheduled to pitch in the Double-A game. … Maddon said RHP Jeff Niemann would remain in the rotation, with RHP Wade Davis going to the bullpen. Maddon did not set the order, but the rotation also includes James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore. … Rays CF B.J. Upton, who has been hampered by an ailing back, expects to be in the lineup on opening day. … Rays OF Sam Fuld will get a second opinion on his ailing right wrist. … Tampa Bay SS Reid Brignac, who has been limited by an ailing foot, said if he gets through a minor league game on Tuesday, he will play in the major league game Wednesday.

Beckett goes 5 shutout innings, Red Sox beat Rays

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Josh Beckett had no problem pitching against a division rival so close to the start of the regular season.

Beckett tossed five innings of one-hit ball and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-0 on Tuesday.

“Josh is working on his changeup a little, and I thought threw a lot of really good pitches today,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “I think he got his work in, put up a bunch of zeros, was competitive working against their hitters and I think that’s what he needed. He’ll have one more short (start). But he had pretty good stuff today.”

Beckett struck out five and walked three while lowering his spring ERA to 0.95 in five starts. He threw 84 pitches, 49 for strikes.

The All-Star right-hander thinks he is very close to being ready to start the season, but still has things to work on.

“As far as arm strength and stuff goes there’s still stuff you got to figure out during the season, too,” he said. “I think if you hit the ground running in April, you’re probably not very old. So spring training’s, in my opinion, a little bit long. But it’s to get everybody ready.”

Beckett is scheduled to start Boston’s home opener on April 13 against the Rays. This was the only time he faced them in spring training.

“I think you could face a team once during spring training,” he said. “But, yeah, I definitely think there comes a familiar approach, if you will, especially when it comes to how you got to a pitch or how you got a guy out. The more times he sees that the more times he’s going to have either video or a mental log of, `OK, this is how he got me out. This is what he’s going to do this time.’”

Tampa Bay was shut out for this third time this spring. The Rays managed just three hits; a double by Jose Lobaton, and singles from Desmond Jennings and Ben Zobrist.

Cody Ross hit a three-run homer off Joel Peralta in the second. He leads the Red Sox with four home runs this spring.

With Tampa Bay’s James Shields pitching in a minor league game, reliever Fernando Rodney started for the Rays and threw one hitless inning.

Rays right-hander Brandon Gomes, coming off back surgery, recorded two outs in the seventh and was charged with four runs. He walked four and allowed one hit.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he felt Gomes, coming off back surgery, was close to being completely healthy but not quite there yet. Gomes agreed.

“I’m confident I’m still very close to where I need to be,” he said.

NOTES: The Red Sox made a series of roster moves. SS Jose Iglesias and 1B Lars Anderson were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. RHPs Justin Germano and Doug Mathis and OF Josh Kroeger were reassigned to minor league camp. … The Red Sox are off on Wednesday, but will have several pitchers in minor league games. RHPs Clay Buchholz and Andrew Bailey are scheduled to pitch in the Triple-A game, while RHPs Aaron Cook and Vicente Padilla are scheduled to pitch in the Double-A game. … Maddon said RHP Jeff Niemann would remain in the rotation, with RHP Wade Davis going to the bullpen. Maddon did not set the order, but the rotation also includes James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore. … Rays CF B.J. Upton, who has been hampered by an ailing back, expects to be in the lineup on opening day. … Rays OF Sam Fuld will get a second opinion on his ailing right wrist. … Tampa Bay SS Reid Brignac, who has been limited by an ailing foot, said if he gets through a minor league game on Tuesday, he will play in the major league game Wednesday.

Updated March 27, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays say a mild lower abdominal strain that’s slowed prized pitching prospect Matt Moore in spring training is not a major concern.

Nevertheless, the team is taking a cautious approach with the rookie left-hander who was held out of a scheduled live batting practice session this week. Manager Joe Maddon stressed the injury is not considered serious, and Moore felt good after playing catch from 75 feet on Wednesday.

“Everything was good today,” Moore said. “Everything has been great the last few days, too.”

The 22-year-old made his major league debut last September and won his only regular-season start at Yankee Stadium. Eight days later, he became the youngest pitcher to start and win a team’s opening postseason game, working seven shutout innings in a 9-0 victory over Texas in the AL divisional playoff round.

The Rangers went on to win the series, three games to one.

“I’m not concerned. He’s fine. But it’s the beginning of camp and we’re just treating it this way,” Maddon said, adding that there’s no reason at this time to believe the discomfort in the middle of the abdomen might be hinder the pitcher’s bid to earn a spot in the starting rotation coming out of spring training.

In two starts with Tampa Bay, including the postseason, Moore allowed six hits over 12 scoreless innings, walked three and struck out 17.

Still, he’s not assured of beginning the season in one of baseball’s youngest – and deepest – rotations. David Price, James Shields, 2011 AL rookie of the year Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann return from last season, with Moore and right-hander Alex Cobb expected to push the incumbents this spring.

Maddon plans to use a six-man rotation when spring training games begin this weekend. Price will start the exhibition opener against Minnesota in Fort Myers on Saturday and Hellickson is scheduled to face the Twins when the teams meet again the following day in Port Charlotte.

It’s unclear when Moore will be back on a mound.

“I don’t anticipate it being a long time. … I don’t consider it a setback at all,” Maddon said of the injury.

Moore, who began last season at Double-A Montgomery, signed a $14 million, five-year contract in December. The deal includes club options for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons that could make it worth about $39.75 million over eight years.

The hard-throwing young left-hander was a combined 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA in 27 starts with Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.

Notes: Price and Shields faced hitters Wednesday during a live batting practice session. … Most of the team’s regulars will take part in a four-inning intrasquad game on Thursday. Among the pitchers scheduled to throw are Cobb, LH Cesar Ramos, RH Josh Lueke, LH Alex Torres and RH Matt Bush. … The Rays said Opening Day at Tropicana Field against the New York Yankees (April 6) is sold out. It’s the seventh straight season the team has sold out its home opener.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The budget-minded Rays have made the playoffs three of the past four years and are counting on Moore to be part of a talented pitching rotation that will enable them to remain competitive with the big-spending New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the AL East, arguably baseball’s toughest division.

The deal announced at Tropicana Field contains club options for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons that could make it worth about $39.75 million over eight years.

“Matt was signed and developed in this organization,” Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “ And as we’ve said many times before, for us to have any chance of sustaining this level of success, it’s very important for us to develop championship-caliber players and people like Matt.”

The hard-throwing 22-year-old made his big league debut for the Rays in mid-September, going 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three appearances, including one start.

Moore started Game 1 of Tampa Bay’s AL Division Series against Texas, working seven shutout innings to beat the Rangers and become the youngest pitcher to start and win a team’s first game of the postseason. He began the 2010 season at Double-A Montgomery was a combined 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA in 27 starts with Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.

Friedman said the club began discussions on a contract “right at the end of the season and really started ramping up in the last two or three weeks.”

Moore was a little surprised the Rays approached him about a long-term deal at this stage in his career. In 2008, the Rays took a similar approach in giving third baseman Evan Longoria a multi-year contract before he had spent much time in the majors.

“There’s not very much of a case to be built except for what I’ve done in the lower levels in the minor leagues,” said Moore, who allowed three earned runs, struck out 15 and walked three in 9 1-3 innings over three regular-season appearances.

“I understand the potential and all that is there, and the hype,” the left-hander added. “I had a great time when I was here last year. And like Andrew said, they drafted me in 2007 and this is the only place I’ve known. I’m looking forward to calling it home for the next eight years. … I feel like the risk is being shared on both ends. I’m happy where we are.”

Barring a trade, the Rays will enter spring training with six talented young starters, with Moore joining a rotation currently comprised of David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann.

Friedman said the team has no plans to begin next season with a six-man rotation, but did not speculate on how the situation will play out, including whether one member of last season’s rotation could wind up in the bullpen.

“This contract doesn’t specifically answer that question,” Friedman said. “We’re fortunate in that we have more than five pitchers who are more than capable of pitching in the American League East. There’s a lot more of the winter to go. My guess is it’ll take until we get into spring to really answer those questions.”

In the meantime, the Rays are excited to have Moore locked up long-term.

“We’ve already seen glimpses of his talent, but more than that he’s shown he has the mettle to compete in the American League East,” Friedman said. “It’s a difficult environment. … He’s gotten a lot of experience quickly, but we’re all excited to see what Matt can do over the long term.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Tampa Bay Rays moved to lock up one of their prized young pitchers Friday, agreeing to terms on a long-term contract with lefty Matt Moore that could be worth nearly $40 million over the next eight years, the St. Petersburg Times reported.

The 22-year-old Moore is regarded as one of the top young pitching prospects in baseball. He made his major league debut in September and pitched seven scoreless innings to defeat the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the ALDS.

The contract will reportedly guarantee Moore $14 million over the next five seasons. If the Rays exercise options in the following three years, the value of the deal would be $39.75 million.

According to ESPN, the contract would be the largest in baseball history for a player with less than two years of service time. Moore was drafted out of high school in the eighth round in 2007.

The financially savvy Rays have signed several young players to long-term deals to avoid losing them later to big-market clubs in free agency. In recent years, the team has made similar moves with Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist, James Shields and Wade Davis.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Tuesday, December 6, 2011

DALLAS — The Rays had a busy first day at the winter meetings, talking trade with several teams and negotiating with free agents including outfielder/DH Josh Willingham.

While no deals were considered imminent, it did appear by Monday night that their top two decision-makers would be sticking around.

Manager Joe Maddon said talks on an extension to his contract, which runs only through the 2012 season, have begun and he was “very confident” a new deal would be struck. “I’m sure it’s going to be all worked out in due time,” Maddon said.

And executive vice president Andrew Friedman eliminated any possibility — albeit extremely slim anyway — that he would leave for a job with his hometown Astros.

“Andrew chose not to be a part of the Astros’ process,” team president Matt Silverman said in a statement. “It is in no way a reflection on the Houston organization.”

The Rays’ top offseason goal is improving their offense, with Willingham, a free agent with a solid record of success, emerging Monday as a possibility.

Willingham, a right-handed hitter who turns 33 in February, hit a career-high 29 homers for Oakland last year, with a .246 average, .332 on-base percentage and .477 slugging percentage. He can play left and right, but the Rays likely would use him primarily as a DH, a significant power upgrade over free agent Johnny Damon, who hit 16 homers.

But the number of other teams interested — reportedly at least three others — and the amount they’d be willing to spend may dictate the direction of the talks. Willingham made $6 million last season, with his agent reportedly seeking a three-year deal.

Another option is trading with one of the numerous teams that have expressed interest in their stable of starting pitchers, primarily James Shields and Wade Davis. The Royals, Marlins and Reds — who all have young hitters — are among those in the conversations.

Overall, Friedman said of the first day: “It’s been busy.” As for the possibilities of a deal? “It’s something that kind of vacillates by the minute. There were times (Monday) where I was pretty optimistic about certain things and then different times where I was a lot more pessimistic.”

Maddon has been optimistic about staying with the Rays past the coming season, but Monday was the first indication there have been discussions.

Maddon, who just won his second AL manager of the year award, would seem to be in line to at least double his current salary of about $1.3 million, which is in the bottom third of current managers.

“We’ve been talking a little bit in general, it’s just basic stuff,” Maddon said. “I’m a Ray. I have a lot of faith in being a Ray as I continue along. I’ve talked about that this for me is the best place to work in major-league baseball. Of course, everybody is looking for security, we all want security.

“For me it’s just about having an open conversation. We never would negotiate in public, anything like that. It’s just about an ongoing conversation right now, and we’ll see how it all or when it plays out. But I’m not worried about anything.”

Friedman, per policy, wouldn’t discuss the status of negotiations, but said, “My expectation is to work with Joe for a long time.”

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Posted: Nov 15, 2011 02:26 PM

Tampa Bay Rays righthander James Shields finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting, announced Tuesday afternoon by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Tigers righthander Justin Verlander was the unanimous choice by all 28 voters, with Angels righthander Jered Weaver taking second.

“I was excited,” Shields said. “Just to be a part of that kind of talented group of guys that were up there with me, just to be named in the same (class) as those guys. It’s definitely an honor. Obviously every pitcher wants to win the Cy Young. BUt with the kind of year Verlander had, it was a no-doubter obviously. I think it was unanimous throughout the whole world he’d win.”

Shields had a remarkable bounce back season in which he racked up a career-high 16 wins and threw a major-league most 11 complete games. He had five second place votes and nine third place votes for 66 points, narrowly edging out Yankees ace CC Sabathia (63), who finished fourth. Tigers closer Jose Valverde took fifth.

With the top-five finish, Shields’ 2012 option increased $500,000 to $8 million.

Shields gave a lot of credit to pitching coach Jim Hickey for helping him refine his mechanics and stay consistent in his delivery, and was appreciative of his teammates and fans.

“The season that I had is a season that I’m capable of having in the future, and hopefully I can just try to build on it,” Shields said. “I don’t think I’m going to predict 11 complete games next year, but hopefully I can get a couple. I’m definitely a realist, I think the year I had was definitely a phenomenal year when I look back on it. The sky is the limit. You always want to try to beat the season before next year, I’m going to try my best to repeat what I did.”

Shields’ third-place finish comes one year after lefthander David Price took second in the 2010 Cy Young. Righthander Jeremy Hellickson won the AL Rookie of the Year Award Monday.

“It shows what kind of staff we have on the Rays,” Shields said. “To have guys like that on our stuff, not one guy but five guys that could potentially have those kind of awards and those kind of years.

Even Verlander was impressed with what Shields was able to do this season.

“I thought it was incredible – 11 complete games? That’s just amazing,” Verlander said. “Me and some of the other starting pitchers on our team, we’d comment every time, ‘Oh my gosh, he threw another one.’

AL Cy Young Voting:

Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (196 points)

Angels RHP Jered Weaver (97 points)

Rays RHP James Shields (66 points)

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (63 points)

Tigers RHP Jose Valverde (28 points)

Times staff writer Joe Smith’s Cy Young Ballot

1. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander

2. Rays RHP James Shields

3. Angels RHP Jered Weaver

4. Yankees LHP CC Sabathia

5. Rangers LF C.J. Wilson

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Posted: Nov 14, 2011 05:14 PM

Shields awaits Cy Young vote

Rays right-hander James Shields is set for a top-five finish when the American League Cy Young Award is announced today at 2 p.m. by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander is a lock to win the award after his 24-win season, but Shields could land in the top three after a bounce-back season in which he racked up a career-high 16 wins and a major-league best 11 complete games. If Shields is in the top five, his option for 2012 increases to $8 million. Angels right-hander Jered Weaver and Yankees lefty CC Sabathia will also be among the finalists.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their $7.5
million contract option for 2012 on pitcher James Shields(notes).

The club also picked up a $3.3 million option for next season for reliever
Kyle Farnsworth(notes) and declined a $3.2 million option on catcher Kelly Shoppach(notes) on
Monday.

Shields went 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 2011, leading the
majors with 11 complete games, including four shutouts to help the Rays make the
playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Farnsworth had a career-best 25
saves in his first season as a full-time closer.

Shoppach started 71 games and batted .176 with 11 homers and 22 RBIs.

Starting pitcher James Shields(notes) has been with the Tampa Bay Rays since breaking into the big leagues in 2006. He’s won 72, lost 63, struck out 1,027, and maintained an ERA of 3.96 along the way. Shields had his best season yet in 2011, winning 16, striking out 225, and posting a 2.82 ERA – all career highs.

This offseason, ESPN reports, there is another team in the Sunshine State that would also like to have him on its roster. The site reports that the Florida Marlins are thinking of making a “serious run” at getting Shields from the Rays.

One of the players that could help make that deal happen, the site notes, is Logan Morrison(notes), who fell out of favor with the Marlins after he made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of the management there.

Don’t forget to follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: ESPN

Related: Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays