The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have interest in Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher James Shields, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports. He noted that the Detroit Tigers have scouted Shields as well.
Of course, this trade would have huge implications around baseball.
One thing it very well could mean would be that the Rays are somewhat selling. Shields has been underachieving this season at 8-6 with a 4.39 ERA, but he has been the Rays’ ace for the past few seasons.
Without him, it is definitely possible that the Rays could slip down in the American League East. That entire division is capable of pouncing on any weakness.
The other obvious impact would occur in the American League West. With the Cole Hamels rumors swirling, acquiring Shields would take the Angels out of that particular race.
However, they would have an excellent consolation prize. Hamels may never even become available, and if he doesn’t or at least doesn’t end up with the Texas Rangers, grabbing Shields would be a great addition that would outweigh anything else Texas might do.
Obviously the Rays are still competitive, so they might not want to move this drastically yet, but dealing Shields to the Angels would do a lot to a few critical playoff races.
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