James Shields inexplicably imploded Wednesday against the A's, allowing 10 runs on 12 hits and two walks over four innings. It was easily his worst start of the season. Shields also gave up 10 runs -- in just 3 1/3 innings -- against the Yankees in 2007. The 29-year-old right-hander saw his ERA balloon from 2.53 to 3.03 during tonight's outing. Assuming he's not traded, Shields will take on the Blue Jays next week.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Reds were not scouting James Shields on Wednesday. That doesn't mean the Reds are no longer interested -- they have access to video of all MLB games, after all -- but Rosenthal suspects that Tampa Bay's asking price might be too high for Cincinnati's liking in the end. Shields, 29, allowed 12 hits and 10 earned runs in just four innings Wednesday night in Oakland but still boasts a 3.03 ERA and 1.07 WHIP on the year.

A source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com that the Reds are targeting James Shields over Ubaldo Jimenez. Interesting. The Rays have reportedly told teams that Shields is no longer available, but the Reds' wealth of prospects might be enough to change their minds. Shields, 29, is locked up with a series of affordable club options from 2012-2014.

CBSSports' Danny Knobler is reporting that the Rays have told teams that James Shields is no longer available. The Rays chummed his name into the rumor waters, but Shields was never realistically going to get dealt. With one of the most team friendly contracts in baseball ($7m club option for 2012, $9m club option for 2013 and $12m club option for 2014, all with $2m buyouts) it would have taken an unreasonably impressive haul to pry Shields and his sterling 2.53 ERA and 1.011 WHIP away from Tampa.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Yankees called the Rays inquire about right-hander James Shields. Can't say Brian Cashman doesn't leave any stone unturned. While Shields' name has floated in rumors lately, the Yankees were told that he is not available. Olney presumes that the Rays wouldn't be willing to deal the 29-year-old right-hander to either the Yanks or Red Sox. And we can't blame them for that.

The Tigers reportedly had two scouts in Tampa Bay to observe James Shields' start against the Yankees on Thursday. They saw another gem, as Shields held the Yankees to just one run on six hits in 7 2/3 innings of work. Although the Rays are still sort of hanging around in the race for the American League East, it's a pretty good bet they'll decide to be sellers between now and next Sunday, and Shields should be able to fetch a pretty impressive haul.

James Shields put forth another stellar effort Thursday, limiting the Yankees to one run on six hits and three walks over 7 2/3 innings in the 2-1 win. He struck out six. Shields was chased in the eighth inning after Robinson Cano drove home Derek Jeter with an RBI double, but Brandon Gomes came in and got Nick Swisher to fly out on the first pitch before Kyle Farnsworth shut the door. Though he is just 9-8, Shields has undoubtedly been one of the best pitchers in the game this season, sporting a 2.53 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 151/40 K/BB ratio over 156 1/3 frames. He'll get the A's next week in what possibly could be his last start as a Ray if he ends up being dealt.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that James Shields is among the pitchers being targeted by the Reds. It's not clear if any official talks have taken place, but Olney notes that Rays' scouts have been scouting Reds' minor leaguers this week. Shields signed a four-year extension with the Rays back in 2009 that includes a series of affordable club options from 2012-2014. The 29-year-old right-hander has enjoyed a fantastic bounceback season, posting a 2.60 ERA and 145 strikeouts over 148 2/3 innings, so whoever wants him will have to ante up.

James Shields was tagged for six runs over six innings in Saturday's loss to the Red Sox. The six runs are the most he has allowed in a start since June 2. His ERA jumped from 2.33 to 2.60 in the loss. While Shields hasn't pitched all that poorly lately, he has dropped four consecutive decisions to even his record at 8-8 on the year. He'll try to stop the skid against the Yankees next week, a team he has held to three runs over 15 innings (1.80 ERA) this season.

James Shields' seventh complete game of the season came in a loss on Sunday, as the Rays' dominating righty got narrowly out-dueled by CC Sabathia in a 1-0 Tampa setback at Yankee Stadium. Shields allowed just one unearned run on four hits in eight innings of work, striking out five while walking one. He'll now enter the break with a 2.33 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, while his seven complete games lead baseball.