While James Shields, and more recently Jeremy Hellickson,
have been the two Tampa Bay Rays’ starting pitchers most mentioned in trade
discussions, there are now rumblings that the team could part ways with
left-hander David Price in exchange for a big bat this offseason, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
So, is there a scenario in which the Rays could move both left-hander David Price and righty James Shields? Of course, if the respective prices are right.
Some around the league are skeptical that the Rays will
trade either Shields or Price this winter, according to Rosenthal. Tampa Bay
would instead ‘keep the band together’ for at least one more season in hopes of
making a strong run in a weakened American League East.
However, Shields is only under contract for one more season
after 2013, and some believe the Rays could shop Price next winter extensively
if they are unable to ink him to a long-term contract extension.
If the Rays intend on making a concentrated run at a World
Series title next season, Rosenthal notes that they could trade younger arms
such as Hellickson or even left-hander Matt Moore for the offense they covet
while holding onto Shields and Price.
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