MLB Trade Rumors: Tampa Bay Rays Should Pull Trigger on a James Shields Trade

There has been much debate in media circles about whether the Tampa Bay Rays should be buyers or sellers before this year's trade deadline passes.

If they are buyers, they will most likely go after relief pitching, which has clearly been their biggest weakness this season.

If they are sellers, the two likely players that could be moved are James Shields and B.J. Upton. Recently, rumors of a Shields trade are becoming more and more evident.

ESPN's Buster Olney recently reported on his Twitter that the Rays have been scouting some Cincinnati Reds' minor league players, and the Reds are interested in Shields.

Olney later tweeted "Total speculation: if Rays are willing to move James Shields, then Cards might have natural CF fit with Rasmus. Again: total speculation."

Whether these deals come to fruition or not, the Shields trade talks have clearly picked up.

And I believe the Rays should capitalize on a trade that would send Shields out of Tampa Bay.

Shields has been receiving a lot of hype this season, and it is mainly due to the seven complete games he has thrown this season, which leads the league.

He is only 8-8 this season, and while many will argue it is due to the Rays' lack of run production, that record is still lower than other potential pitchers on the trade block.

The past two seasons haven't been good for Shields, either. In 2009, he was 11-12 with a 4.14 ERA. 2010 was about the same for Shields, as he posted a 13-15 record with an even higher ERA of 5.18.

Nevertheless, teams have expressed interest in Shields, and the Rays expect a power hitter or quality prospects in return.

If the Reds are to make a deal for Shields, the trade will most likely consist of Reds prospects Yonder Alonzo and Yasmani Grandal.

Alonzo is a power-hitting first baseman who is a former first-round pick of the Reds and is considered the club's third-best prospect by MLB.com.

Grandal is a catching prospect that has a lot of raw power, but he has only been in the minor league system for two years, so it may be a while before Grandal sees action in the big leagues.

If the Reds presented a trade of this magnitude to the Rays, it would be smart for them to take it. It may be a tough move for the club to make since Shields has been with the Rays organization since 2006.

It will take a lot for the Rays to even make the playoffs this season, having to beat the Yankees by 5.5 games in the second half to claim the Wild Card. Realistically, they won't make the playoffs, and if they sit tight with Shields and he struggles, his demand won't be as high in the offseason when the Rays try to trade him and Upton.

Trade Shields now while teams are high on him. It would free up another spot in the rotation for future stars in Alex Cobb or Matt Moore.

And the Rays will get more talented prospects in return or maybe one of the best center fielders in Colby Rasmus if Olney's speculation becomes reality. This kind of move would benefit the Rays next season as they reload for another playoff run.

Be smart here and pull the trigger on a Shields trade before it is too late.