Latest On James Shields: Cardinals Enter The Fray

Some rival executives believe more and more that the Tampa Bay Rays will deal James Shields before Tuesday's July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN. With the sweepstakes heating up, let's take a look at the latest rumors involving the right-handed starter...

• The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers are the teams most interested in Shields, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times.
• While the Rays continue looking for a return "north of Greinke," Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes the St. Louis Cardinals are the latest team to enter the mix for Shields.
• Could the Cardinals also be the best match? Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller, the Cardinals' top prospect, is available.

Miller available but Cards do not appear anxious to make impact deal at present. Shields remains intriguing. Mo' in the tall grass for now.

— Joe Strauss (@JoeStrauss) July 26, 2012