James Shields Staying with Rays

… for now.

The Rays have come out and made it as official as anything can be this time of year that they are not going to trade starting pitcher James Shields.  The righty’s name has been coming up in trade talks this summer as a possible top of the rotation option for contenders.

But Danny Knobler of CBSsports.com is reporting that Tampa has now told teams that they won’t be moving Shields before the trade deadline.

Rumors started circulating that Tampa would consider listening to offers on Shields, but would have to be blown away to deal the 29 year old.

Late last week the Yankees approached the Rays regarding Shields, but Buster Olney reported that New York was told he wasn’t available.  Olney assumed this would also be the answer the Rays would give the Red Sox as the club would not want to trade Shields to rivals ahead of them in the division.

In the middle of his 6th season with the Rays, Shields is having a career year.  The right hander is 9-8 on with a 2.53 ERA and WHIP of 1.01.  Shields has struck out 151 batters over his 156.1 innings of work while only walking 40 and surrendering 118 hits.  Hitters are batting a measly .212 off of Shields this year.

Some thought the Rays would look to take advantage of Shields’ monster year by cashing the starter in this summer.  But as Ken Rosenthal states, the Rays are not feeling any urgency to move the pitcher.

Shields is entering a series of option years with the Rays, where the club can retain him from 2012 through 2014 for yearly salaries of $7, $9 and $12 million.  He currently is making $4.25 million in 2011.

While the Rays will likely hold onto Shields through the deadline and for the remainder of the season, Tampa could move the starter this offseason.  His salary is set to jump and with minor leaguers Matt Moore, Alexander Torres and Alex Cobb waiting in the wings, the Rays may decide Shields is expendable for the right pieces.

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