Monday, December 10, 2012

Rays Trade Shields & Davis, Build For Future

Rays' New Star (AP Photo)
As the Red Sox continue to overpay old role players, their colleagues in the AL East continue to make moves. Earlier in the off-season, the Toronto Blue Jays pulled off a blockbuster deal that transformed them into contenders. Now, the Tampa Bay Rays have a blockbuster deal of their own—sending starters James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City in exchange for four players. The centerpiece of the deal for Tampa is consensus minor league player of the year Wil Myers—who could break into the Rays lineup in 2013. Myers is a "can't miss" blue-chipper, potentially in the mold of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. The deal may set the Rays back a little in 2013, but it positions them for a strong run in the 2014-2020 period. Meantime, the Red Sox still have holes to fill in the starting rotation and outfield—and possibly shortstop. Truck Day is just 56 days away.