The Rays and Angels are discussing a trade that would send James Shields to Anaheim in exchange for outfielder Peter Bourjos and catcher Hank Conger, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN reported Tuesday.
Shields is under contract for $7 million this season and has two club options remaining on his deal, valued at $9 million in 2013 and $12 million in 2014 with buyouts of $1.5 million and $1 million respectively. The lifetime Ray has struggled this year, with a 4.39 ERA and a league-leading 150 hits allowed despite a pristine 3.18 K/BB.
Bourjos has struggled mightily this season and has been made expendable by the explosion of Mike Trout. The 25-year-old has a .223/.285/.331 line this season. Conger, 24, has been a top-100 prospect according to Baseball America twice, most recently as the 84th-overall prospect in 2010. He has played 77 games in the majors with a .624 OPS.
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