From Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe comes word that the Rays are “expected to be willing” to trade 26-year-old right-hander Wade Davis at some point before the start of the 2012 season.
There were rumblings as this offseason began that Tampa Bay might be willing to unload 29-year-old righty James Shields, who registered a sparkling 2.82 ERA and 225/65 K/BB ratio in 33 starts this year. But those rumors were quickly squashed.
Davis isn’t nearly as dominant as Shields, but he is younger and far cheaper. The former third-round draft pick posted a 4.45 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 29 starts this season, striking out 105 batters and walking 63. He’s owed just $1.5 million in 2012, $2.8 million in 2013 and $4.8 million in 2014.
With such weak starting pitching options on this year’s free agent market, several teams should be calling.