Shields and Damon respond to trade rumors...
Both veterans were quick to dismiss any speculation about their future in the midst of a crucial four-game series against the New York Yankees.
“This is part of the year where you have to deal with (rumors) as a player,” Shields said. “It happens every single year, and there are guys who get mentioned. If I’m one of those guys, so be it.”
“The guys that were rumored to come to us over the last couple years? We would’ve had an All-Star team.”
“I feel like I’m a Ray, and I’ve been a Ray for my whole career,” Shields said. “I feel really good here… My goal is to make the playoffs with the Rays right now, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Damon has repeatedly gone on record saying he wants to finish not only this season, but his career, in Tampa Bay.
“I love it here, and it’s been probably one of my most favorite places to play,” the 37-year-old reiterated Wednesday.
“Do I still want to finish my career here? Yes,” Damon said, before demonstrating his full grasp of what could play out in the coming weeks, and even beyond. “I also understand that this team needs to maybe get somebody in return that could help them in the future, and try to resign me after this year, too.”
“Things don’t necessarily have to happen now. You do have the waiver stuff that happens through August,” Damon continued.