Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said it succinctly on Twitter — “Hate . . . HATE to lose James and Wade. But this who we are. This is how we have to operate. Excited about the guys we are getting.”

Sunday night the Rays lopped more money off their payroll by trading much-sought-after pitcher James Shields and righthander Wade Davis to Kansas City for slugging outfielder Wil Myers and other prospects.