Quade did it to Smadzija. Maddon did it to Shields and Hellickson. I can’t think of any others this year, but it is a pretty standard practice, especially over 120 pitches.

Now, if we can just get some more hits with runners in scoring position – oh, and some f-ing DEFENSE…

It’s like going to PFT and seeing Aaron Rodgers named A-Rod.

Sure they could use a catcher, middle infielder with some pop, a right-handed DH/OF who can produce and another arm or two in the bullpen, but they have needed those and more the past four years when they have finished better or as strong as the luxury tax laden Yankees and Red Sox.

Upton and Farnsworth should return in the first part of May, and getting Lobaton and/or Chirinos will give them flexibility in the catcher department. Maddon usually solves the bullpen issues and the addition of Keppinger gives them a bat in the middle infield. So suddenly many of their perceived issues disappear.

Remember the Rays didn’t have Jennings or Moore for the majority of 2011 and still traveled further in the post-season than their more ballyhooed rivals. Plus Hellickson isn’t a rookie, Niemann is healthy, Pena is back at 1B and off to a rare hot start, and Scott is a lefty DH addition that can only help. (Much to my chagrin)

True they have not come flying out of the gates in 2012, but soon they will be healthy, more apt to stay that way then either Boston or New York, and still sit at 5-5 after opening with 3 at home vs the Yankees, then 3 in Detroit, followed by 4 in Fenway, not exactly a cushy first 10 games.

This week they travel to Toronto, and take on the Jays, the team they will most likely be battling with for the division crown in years to come.

Think that’s impressive. Check out May 2011:
127-108-105-114-132

He’ll be fine. He’s just Verlander being Verlander.

But on the other hand, Verlander is a friggin’ monster. Still hitting 100 MPH in the 9th to blow the last guy away.

You rarely see that kind of starting pitcher dominance anymore, sad to say.

The top catching prospects reside in Yanks, Sox, Jays, A’s, Braves, Giants, Padres, Mariners and Rockies systems. Of those, The first 3 would be hard to get any deal done. The A’s don’t won’t want Shields, Nieman, or Davis, as they are just like the Rays in that they trade vets for prospects, no visa versa. The Braves won’t move a top prospect catcher until McCann is locked up. I doubt the Giants want to move a catching prospect until Posey proves he is back and can handle 120 games behind the plate for the next few years. The Rockies are pitching loaded in the minors as well, so that would be tough to do.

So the Padres, Mariners, and Marlins (as I already said in original post) make the most sense. However, the Rockies are pitching loaded in the minors as well. The Mariners gave up Pineda for Montero, so they obviously think higher of him than I do, and likely the Rays do either. The Padre’s really have no use for both Nick Hundley and Yasmani Grandal, so this is definately a possibility. However, I believe the Rays would rather move Shields and his 7.5, 9, and 12 million dollar salary elsewhere for a buttload of prospects.

So, I am absolutely stumped. The Marlins are the only ones that match both teams financial desires, but Realmuto is a ways away. Perhaps a 3 way deal is most likely, because there don’t seem to be any 2 way deals.

How on earth did James Shields get the nickname “Big Game”? He’s made six unremarkable postseason starts.