Mandatory Credit: Luc Leclerc-US PRESSWIRE
ST. PETERSBURG, FL-The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their 2012 club options for right-handed pitchers James Shields and Kyle Farnsworth. They declined the 2012 option for catcher Kelly Shoppach.
Shields, 29, was named to his first All-Star Team in 2011 and went 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA (249.1-IP, 78-ER) in 33 starts. He established career highs in virtually every statistical category while setting club records in innings pitched, complete games (11) and shutouts (four). His 11 complete games were the most by any pitcher in 12 years. Shields was the first AL pitcher with 11 complete games and four shutouts in a season since Roger Clemens of the 1992 Boston Red Sox.
Shields is due to earn $7.5 million in 2012, with the possibility of $8, depending on where he finishes in the Cy Young Award balloting.
Farnsworth, 35, earned a career-high 25 saves and compiled a career-best 2.18 ERA (57.2-IP, 14-ER) over 63 relief appearances in his first season as a Ray. It was his ninth season of 60 or more appearances, and his five victories tied a career high. He led the major leagues with five saves requiring four or more outs. The 13-year veteran ranks fourth among active pitchers with 776 career games pitched.
Farnsworth will earn $3.3 million next season.
Shoppach, 31, spent the last two seasons (2010-11) with the Rays. In 2011 he appeared in 87 games, including a team-high 71 starts at catcher. He caught 15 of 41 attempted base stealers (36.6 percent), second-best percentage in the majors.
Shoppach was scheduled to earn $3.2 million in 2012. There is a possibility he could return, at a lesser salary.
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