The Rays decided to exercise their options on ace James Shields and closer Kyle Farnsworth while declining their option on catcher Kelly Shoppach.
Shields’ option was worth 7.5 million dollars. That is a somewhat steep price by the Rays’ standards, but Shields was their best pitcher in 2011 and they could be picking up his option just to trade him. It seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the Rays would pick up this option, and the Rays didn’t pull any surprises.
Farnsworth will make 3.3 million dollars in 2012 since the Rays picked up his option. Farnsworth was very effective for the Rays in 2011 when he was healthy, and the Rays don’t really have an obvious candidate to step in at closer. Also, the Rays could always trade Farnsworth if they so desire.
Shoppach may have played the most minor role of these three players, but the Rays declining his option is the most interesting. Shopppach hit just .176 in 2011, certainly not to any extent a good thing, but ...
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