Royals acquire Shields from Rays for prospects

**wheelie** · 12-10-2012, 03:43 AM

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/new...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

KANSAS CITY -- Speculation became reality on Sunday night when the Royals hauled in No. 1 starter James Shields from Tampa Bay in a trade for their No. 1 prospect, outfielder Wil Myers.
And that wasn't all. The Royals also obtained another right-handed starting pitcher, Wade Davis, from the Rays. Going to Tampa Bay with Myers are pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery and third baseman Patrick Leonard.
Along with Shields and Davis, Kansas City is to receive a player to be named or cash.

**shortking98** · 12-10-2012, 08:40 AM

Unfortunately for a Red Sox fan like myself, this looks likely to be a big win for Tampa Bay

**chakhae1** · 12-10-2012, 09:54 AM

Royals optimists need to sit down and drink the coffee. The Royals have been bottom feeders since the 1980's and this trade does not make them contenders at all. Rex Hudler is on the radio now saying that the Royals are now World Series contenders and that's just a big joke.

**gladdyontherise** · 12-10-2012, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by chakhae1

Royals optimists need to sit down and drink the coffee. The Royals have been bottom feeders since the 1980's and this trade does not make them contenders at all. Rex Hudler is on the radio now saying that the Royals are now World Series contenders and that's just a big joke.

It absolutely does, they play in the AL Central, they get to feed on the Twins/Indians 18 times per season, and I'll add the White Sox because for some reason, they just always seem to beat them....

Can they get a wild card spot? I don't see why they couldn't. The Royals have a great bullpen, their offense is fine, and while Shields isn't an ace, he's a good #2. However, the Royals gave up far too much, in my opinion.

Plus, when you judge division strength, doesn't it make them as much of a contender in the AL Central as it does for the Jays in the AL East?

**chakhae1** · 12-10-2012, 11:34 AM

Optimism with the Royals has come and gone in the past and that's all I think this is. With regards to their offence, they have a lot of good young studs, but in order for them to be contenders in the AL, all of them would have to step up and perhaps not have career years, but provide improvements on their career stats so far. It's just a lot to ask for for a team that hasn't even been above .500 in how many years? Perhaps if they have more veterans in their lineup I wouldn't be as pessimistic. For sure though, contending in the weak AL central is a definite, but contending in the AL is another story and that is something the Royals will simply not do with their current roster.

**shortking98** · 12-10-2012, 11:35 AM

I agree gladdy, in the Central they may contend but I think they gave up too much. They traded premium, cost controlled talent, which seems to be the most valuable commodity in baseball right now. I think Myers and Odorizzi can contribute pretty much right away for a contending Tampa Bay team and anything they get from Montgomery and Leonard will be gravy. Tampa capitalizes again on another team's desperation IMO.

**gladdyontherise** · 12-10-2012, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by chakhae1

Optimism with the Royals has come and gone in the past and that's all I think this is. With regards to their offence, they have a lot of good young studs, but in order for them to be contenders in the AL, all of them would have to step up and perhaps not have career years, but provide improvements on their career stats so far. It's just a lot to ask for for a team that hasn't even been above .500 in how many years? Perhaps if they have more veterans in their lineup I wouldn't be as pessimistic. For sure though, contending in the weak AL central is a definite, but contending in the AL is another story and that is something the Royals will simply not do with their current roster.

If Hosmer bounces back (that's assuming they fix the flaw in his swing that was pretty easy to see last year), the offense should be fine with him, Butler, Gordon, Escobar, Cain, Perez etc. They just need to hide Francoeur.

I don't think they'll be a legit contender, but can they contend for a wildcard spot? Why not? The fact they play in the Central is a huge bonus for them.

Originally Posted by shortking98

I agree gladdy, in the Central they may contend but I think they gave up too much. They traded premium, cost controlled talent, which seems to be the most valuable commodity in baseball right now. I think Myers and Odorizzi can contribute pretty much right away for a contending Tampa Bay team and anything they get from Montgomery and Leonard will be gravy. Tampa capitalizes again on another team's desperation IMO.

Oh, I agree. I think it's a bad deal, but I also think it can make them contenders only based on the division they play in. I'm not that firm of a believer in Chicago, Minnesota is clearly rebuilding, and who knows what the Indians are really doing right now (however, their starting pitching is terrible).

I saw a quote on twitter today that the Royals owner basically said this team needs to contend in 2013, or the front office will be getting fired, so it definitely appears like a desperation move.

I was pretty optimistic on KC last year, so that may be a factor for me liking their chances, I just didn't expect Hosmer to play as poorly as he did.

**mberger718** · 12-10-2012, 02:40 PM

James Shields is a class act, has charities in Tampa, great work ethic, great mentor for younger pitchers, nice to the fans, stays out of trouble, and is a workhorse. Hate having the Rays lose him, as the Price/Shields tandem was a good one-two punch. Hopefully the trade will work out with Myers bringing the big bat that the Rays desperately need. I didn't like having Wade Davis as part of the deal, he was a really good mid-reliever and could have potentially returned to starter if needed.

**shortking98** · 12-10-2012, 03:06 PM

I think Odorizzi can probably fill a similar role to Davis for Tampa Bay at a lower cost $$ wise

**chakhae1** · 12-11-2012, 10:01 AM

Shields is a solid pitcher and a proven commodity, but is not a star pitcher that the kind of package that the Royals gave up should garner. They were comparing this trade to the one the Jays got for Halladay and they were saying the players the Rays got are all better prospects than what the Jays received as well. Only time will tell if this deal pays off in the long run. It is good that the Royals are doing something b/c their fans have been wanting a winner for a long time and they are in a big baseball market, but I don't think now is the time to make this kind of deal.