The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers have joined the Los Angeles Angels on the hunt for Tampa Bay Rays right-hander James Shields, according to league reports.
All three teams have made offers but the Rays continue to wait for someone to do better for the former All-Star right hander.
The Rays have told teams they would listen to deals on three popular right-handers, including Jeremy Hellickson and Wade Davis.
However, Shields would make the logical candidate to go since he's 30 years-old and has a $9 million team option for 2013, rather expensive for the Rays but also very reasonable for big-market teams.
Shields has struggled this year, with a 1.46 WHIP through 131 1/3 innings this season. Shields has also allowed 17 home runs so far this year as well.
ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reported earlier this week that the Angels were discussing a trade that would net them Shields in exchange for center fielder Peter Bourjos and catcher Hank Conger, Kurkjian added that the deal could also involve Angeles right-hander Ervin Santana.
The Rangers interest in the deal somewhat interesting.
With Colby Lewis out for the year, Texas' rotation currently boasts Yu Darvish, Roy Oswalt, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison.
The Rangers evidently are not counting on either Oswalt or rehabbing Neftali Feliz, so it remains to be shown on whether or not their interest in Shields is just to drive the price up for the Angeles or if it's a legitimate interest.
