Shields a potental Blue Jays target at Trade Deadline

 Toronto has James Shields in its sights. Photo credit: Charlie Riedel/AP

The Blue Jays have been the surprise team so far in all of the major leagues. They currently sit at 32-23, first place in the AL East and just had a nine game winning streak snapped last night. Their starters as a group have  done a solid job posting a collective 3.88 ERA, firth best in the American League, but are rumored to be looking to add a veteran starter to further strengthen the rotation.

 

By: Michael Hanley

 

Jeff Samardzija has been a player linked to Toronto  as a rental for them at the trading deadline but the Cub’s asking price might be too steep for the Blue Jay’s taste. The newest option being connected with them is Royals starter James Shields.

 

Now the Royals might also ask for  a steep price from Toronto on acquiring Shields if he is made available at the trading deadline, but there are allot of things to like about him in the Jays view. For one he is  very familiar pitching against AL East foes with his previous seasons spent in Tampa Bay. Shields has a history with many of the batters in the division and  know show to get them out on a consistent basis. Second he is an efficient pitcher that can give a team innings and consistent starts, as seen by his 6-3 start to this season with a 3.36 ERA. It would give the  Jays another starter who could save the bullpen from being overused and kept to their usual, set roles they are in right now. And finally, he is a pitcher that will not cost Toronto a whole lot of money as a rental. They will still have flexibility afforded to them should they seek to make any other moves during the deadline to fortify their team.

 

The club also has expressed interest in other starters as reported by cbssports.com’s Jon Heyman:

Shields could lead a pack of starters who'd interest the Jays, who'd also most likely have interest in Justin Masterson, Francisco Liriano and Jason Hammel, should they become available. Those are three more pitchers who are due to be free agents after the year like Shields.

 

All would make for interesting choices for Toronto but all come with a price. That is the mystery as of right now, what are they willing to give up in order to get themselves a sure fire veteran starter for the rotation? They have to give up a good amount of young talent two seasons ago when they got Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes from the Marlins in a big deal that sent several of their top prospects to the Marlins. It might come down to that again but people are not so sure they are ready and willing to deal more prospects for a rental.

 

Its a bit of a dilemma but when you think about it, the Jays don’t get this opportunity very often to add at the deadline. They must seize the moment and try to make the most of this solid start and see if the postseason could be reached with the right addition in July.