David Price is not sweating his status right now with the Tampa Bay Rays. The pitching ace failed to agree to a long-term contract at the start of the season, opting for a one-year deal instead which has left him as trade bait for the team moving forward. Price is not disappointed one big with that title and as the MLB deadline starts to heat up, Price could be sent packing sooner rather than later.
Price told media during the All-Star break that while he would prefer to remain with the Rays, he understands the financial aspects of the team which are limiting negotiations. He noted that a trade would certainly be welcomed with no hard feelings if that was the end result. Price is headed for free agency in November of 2015 and a long-term deal looks out of the question considering the contracts that players like Evan Longoria are signed to.
"Coming up in our organization, I've seen it happen before with guys like (James) Shields and (Matt) Garza and Delmon (Young) and (Jason) Bartlett,'' Price said, via ESPN.com. "We've had quite a few guys at this point in the season go through the trade rumors. Since 2012, (the Rays and I) both understood that for Tampa to continue the kind of success we've had over the past five or six years, this is the way they operate. I would love to stay there and for us to continue to be successful. But I don't know if that's a possibility.''
Price has been on the trade market for some time now and so far no team has made an offer. However, with the deadline approaching July 31, interest will heat up. According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees could be in the running for the pitcher. They have no issues with money spending. The Dodgers want another top arm. The Yankees need to replace pitchers like CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka, both out with injuries.
The Rays likely want a starting pitcher in return along with a batter to for the ace. According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Dish Daily, the Cleveland Indiana are looking to make a move on Price along with the Atlanta Braves. The National League team ideally wants to include a pitcher like Alex Wood along with Dan Uggla, but that might not be enough to peak the Rays' interest. Price told media that he is open to a mid-season trade and has no issues with a major-market team making a move for him.
"I could be anywhere, actually," Price said. "The Rays said they don't have a problem trading me in the division. That opens the doors for a couple of other teams. I don't think I'd have a problem fitting in anywhere. I know a lot of guys in the big leagues now. I at least know somebody from every team. That always helps."