With James Shields in town, are the Royals ready to contend?

The media reaction about this trade was truly something to behold. The Rays trade one of the best pitchers in baseball for prospects and they are seen as "smart", "ahead of the curve" and all that.

If Boston traded Lester, or NY traded Sabathia or Seattle traded Hernandez they'd be viewed as mailing it in and going thru a full rebuild process and heavily criticized about it.

Perception is that Tampa is smarter than everyone else. Reality is that they are the same as everyone else. Except that the Florida/Miami Marlins have won 2 more WS than Tampa, but then again, any team that's won a WS has won more than Tampa.

They've been to the WS one time, had years and years of the #1 pick overall and have actually only won 1 round in the playoffs in their entire history.

Yeah, I know, they're just smarter than everyone else.

The Mets will get destroyed in the media if they trade Dickey for prospects though.

Go Get Um Royals!!!

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:11 AM ET  12.10 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

The media reaction about this trade was truly something to behold. The Rays trade one of the best pitchers in baseball for prospects and they are seen as "smart", "ahead of the curve" and all that.If Boston traded Lester, or NY traded Sabathia or Seattle traded Hernandez they'd be viewed as mailing it in and going thru a full rebuild process and heavily criticized about it.Perception is that Tampa is smarter than everyone else. Reality is that they are the same as everyone else. Except that the Florida/Miami Marlins have won 2 more WS than Tampa, but then again, any team that's won a WS has won more than Tampa.They've been to the WS one time, had years and years of the #1 pick overall and have actually only won 1 round in the playoffs in their entire history. Yeah, I know, they're just smarter than everyone else.The Mets will get destroyed in the media if they trade Dickey for prospects though.

It's the realities of an owner who realizes he can't pay guys like Shields without taking a loss on the bottom line. That's what really bothers me - a team that has been capable of this kind of success is playing in a place in which it pretty much cannot make money.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:11 AM ET  12.10 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

he Mets will get destroyed in the media if they trade Dickey for prospects though.

mets will trade DICKEY and the mets would be well satisfied with the amount of prospects from the rangers though,,

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 12:16 PM ET  12.10 by /

Ummm...I'm pretty sure Shields is a righty, and the guy in the pic above doesn't even seem to have a beard...who is that guy?

i would think this is matt moore!!!!

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:51 AM ET  12.10 by /

Shields is a very good pitcher, but not even remotely comparable to Sabathia.Even Lester was substantially better before his '11 meltdown.Shields is somewhat comparable to Buchholz, but with more experience...I wouldn't call him one of the best pitchers in baseball at this point.

shields is as a number 3 in the rotation, but he has durability in innings pitched and should give a extra option in winning more games for the royals,,,,

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:11 AM ET  12.10 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

The media reaction about this trade was truly something to behold. The Rays trade one of the best pitchers in baseball for prospects and they are seen as "smart", "ahead of the curve" and all that.

the media reaction its completely different from other teams media reaction,, shields its good but not as good as CC SABATHIA /VERLANDER/FELIX HERNANDEZ/

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:11 AM ET  12.10 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

The media reaction about this trade was truly something to behold. The Rays trade one of the best pitchers in baseball for prospects and they are seen as "smart", "ahead of the curve" and all that.If Boston traded Lester, or NY traded Sabathia or Seattle traded Hernandez they'd be viewed as mailing it in and going thru a full rebuild process and heavily criticized about it.Perception is that Tampa is smarter than everyone else.

I disagree. You have to look at the track record. Tampa usually does well in these deals, based on the last five years, under current management. Look at Delmon Young. They dealt him, after a good rookie season, for Matt Garza. Then they dealt Garza for a SS prospect and Chris Archer.

Tampa, in my opinion, did pretty well on this deal. Myers and Odorizzi are young, and could be future stars. Shields is on the second half of his career, and Davis is average.

With that trade the Royals should finish ahead of the Twinkles and Indians but will not win the division.

The Royals didn't win when they had Greinke. Why should they with Shields?