Shields likely not going anywhere: According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, the Rays are "dead-set against" trading SP James Shields this offseason. Knobler even suggests that the Rays would be more willing to trade Jeremy Hellickson than Shields, which would indicate that they're extremely unlikely to trade either. (Updated 11/03/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Shields' name has already come up a few times in trade rumors since the regular season ended, with Marlins specifically being interested in his services. But considering the Rays have favorable club options on him for 2013 and 2014, trading him now wouldn't make much sense. After a few years of up-and-down production, Shields emerged as a no-doubter Fantasy ace in 2011. As an innings eater with near strikeout-per-inning potential, he'll be worth drafting as a top-12 Fantasy SP in 2012. (Updated 11/03/2011).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
Well, that was certainly a step in the right direction. After a gradual downward trend culminated in a miserable 2010 in which he gave up an MLB-high 246 hits and 117 earned runs to go along with career worsts in ERA (5.18) and WHIP (1.46), James Shields was suddenly the best he's ever been in 2011, leading the AL with four shutouts and the majors with an astonishing 11 complete games -- the most for any pitcher since Randy Johnson had 12 in 1999. So what went so right for him? His peripherals had long hinted of ace ability -- in fact, his strikeout-to-walk ratio last year was actually worse than during that miserable 2010 -- but he was always done in by homers, ranking among the worst at surrendering the long ball year after year. But last year, he placed a renewed emphasis on locating his strikes (as opposed to just throwing strikes or balls), and boom, problem solved. Given his past inconsistencies, Shields could always slip back into bad habits, which is why you shouldn't necessarily target him as your ace on Draft Day, but he's a potential bargain as a high-end No. 2. If nothing else, you know he'll give you strikeouts and innings. (Updated 1/27/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start