Making their pitch
Since executive VP Andrew Friedman took over after the 2005 season, the Rays have not been shy about trading pitchers, shipping out 26 in various deals. That includes four who were considered solid starters at the time.
RHP Edwin Jackson, to Tigers, Dec. 2008, for OF Matt Joyce
Evaluation: The Tigers got 13 wins and an All-Star season out of Jackson then used him in a deal to get RHP Max Scherzer. The Rays are still waiting for Joyce to become a consistent slugger though he was an All-Star in 2011.
LHP Scott Kazmir, to Angels, Aug. 2009, for INF Sean Rodriguez, LHP Alex Torres, 3B Matt Sweeney
Evaluation: The Angels got only 11 wins out of Kazmir before dumping him in his third season, paying him more than $20 million. Rodriguez has been a valuable Rays contributor over four seasons, Torres blossomed into a key reliever this season, Sweeney is gone.
RHP Matt Garza, to Cubs, Jan. 2011, with OF Fernando Perez, LHP Zachary Rosscup, for RHP Chris Archer, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Sam Fuld, OF Brandon Guyer, SS Hak-Ju Lee
Evaluation: The Cubs got 21 wins over 22/3 seasons from Garza then traded him to the Rangers for less than they gave Tampa Bay. Lee was considered the prize, though a knee injury has set him back, but Archer emerged as a frontline starter, Fuld was a solid reserve for three seasons. Guyer has yet to do much, Chirinos was injured then traded.
RHP James Shields, to Royals, Dec. 2012, with RHP Wade Davis, INF Elliot Johnson, for 3B Patrick Leonard, LHP Mike Montgomery, OF Wil Myers, RHP Jake Odorizzi
Evaluation: The Royals got exactly what they wanted out of Shields, and picked up his option, though Davis struggled and Johnson was let go. Myers delivered, too, winning the AL rookie of the year award. Odorizzi has potential to join the rotation, Montgomery and Leonard are still in the minors.
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer