James Shields to KC?

[chargerss24]

The Royals would agruably get the same production by the signing of Erwin Santana and signing Kyle Lohse and they would still have Myers to replace Frenchy and Odorizzi auditioning for the No. 5 or for a bullpen spot.

This trade makes me ill.

[kab21]

I agree, and the point you made about freeing up money is really important. Despite the fact that I think this trade is good for the Rays no matter what, you can't look at it in a vacuum. It's definitely possible that this isn't their end game, and that they can now sign someone who would not have otherwise been an option.

I think they have been planning on trading Shields for awhile this offseason. Do they go after Swisher or LaRoche with this extra money?

[Element]

How long before TB locks Meyers up to a 20 yr $30MM deal?

[thedude]

The Royals internally are apparently very down on Myers, but this was a terrible trade. Look at other recent trades for starting pitchers: Pineda, Latos, and Gonzalez. This was a vast overpay for Shields. This would have been a fair trade... for Matt Moore.

[Element]

The Royals are basically the guy who held onto his virginity for thirty years then woke up one day and said, “Eh, I’m going to a hooker.”

Grey - Razzball

[Skin Blues]

James Shields' career ERA at Tropicana Field: 3.33
James Shields' career ERA everywhere else...: 4.54

Tampa Bay's rank in defensive runs saved over the past 5 years: #1
Kansas City's rank in defensive runs saved over the past 5 years: #29

It's shaping up to be a wonderful year for the Royals. Oh wait, the Tigers added Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez to the roster that already finished 16 games ahead of KC last year?

[J35J]

F my life...

[jackie hayes]

The Royals are basically the guy who held onto his virginity for thirty years then woke up one day and said, “Eh, I’m going to a hooker.”

Grey - Razzball

Love it.

[GiantsFan14]

F my life...

there are never enough giants fans bro. come on over.

[mweir145]

James Shields' career ERA at Tropicana Field: 3.33
James Shields' career ERA everywhere else...: 4.54

Except this doesn't mean much of anything. First, because he's done very well on the road since the beginning of the 2011 season (when he took the step to becoming the pitcher he is today). And second, he's going to just as big of a pitcher's park as Tampa and now he doesn't have to face New York, Boston, Toronto, or Baltimore as often on the road (or pitch in all of those hitter's parks as often either) which caused that high road ERA in the first place.

James Shields will do more than fine in KC. In fact, I would probably expect him to have the best year of his career in 2013 considering the much easier competition. It isn't necessary to denigrate his impressive ability/performance to call this trade a bad one for them.