Ugh, this is a 20-team league. An unproven reliever with decent but not great projections is the definition of replacement level. That's not a shot at you or him, he's just not materially better than other relievers on the waiver wire.
Well projections have Vizcaino at barely a 2:1 K/BB and an ERA close to 4. He'd have to be racking up saves to have value with those peripherals. Jeffress might be a bit above replacement, but if he's better than guys like Loup or Baez, it isn't by much.
Look at the 9th place team to see what was actually required though:
2014 - catsass 148-143-17
2013 - silvergun 148-136-24
15 games over 0.500 should definitely get you in. Possibly as little as 5 or 6 over.
If I can beat up on Boxy and z3r0s and go 0.500 against slayers, min, jaysblue, and havok I'll have a chance. Really, I'm just playing for pride at this point and trying to win as many games as possible though. The playoffs are a longshot.
I'd have no issues taking on Shields' contract. If I'm betting on a pitcher to stay healthy and productive for three more years, he's near the top of my list.
I'm definitely in for doing something, just not at significant long-term cost for a rental. Hamels would be awesome. Edwin for a pitcher could make sense. Fiers. Gerardo Parra might come surprisingly cheap.
I feel like Tyson Ross isn't the kind of pitcher to make a significant commitment to. Two straight years with a declining fastball velo and awful mechanics that result in awful control and make him a huge injury risk. I'd be all over him as a free agent on a short term deal, but I'm definitely not moving top assets for him.