The Tampa Bay Rays are deciding whether or not to trade David Price and as teams like the LA Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, St Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners show interest at the deadline, the Rays are playing some amazing baseball and they not may not be willing to deal their ace.
Just a month ago the Rays were about 20 games under .500, but after an amazing stretch of baseball, the team is now right in the division race and playoff race in the wild card. According to Hardball Talk, the Rays are still deciding how to approach the deadline with Price, as they have a number of teams that are interested in making the deal. The Rays aren't going to pay Price big money, but he is under team control through next season as well and that makes him an attractive target.
The Mariners were in talks with the team earlier in the offseason and they could be an option, while the Orioles and Brewers are also reportedly in on the talks. The 28 year old is the top target on the market and he has been killing it this season and now he could be on the move, although it will cost top prospects to get a deal done no matter who does it.
The Mariners have a major decision to make and if Price is dealt, it would be a blockbuster. Even if he doesn't sign long term, he is under control next season and would net the team a first round pick if he leaves in free agency. According to the Plain Dealer, the Indians could be a surprise team in line to trade for David Price, while the Seattle Mariners have also been linked to Price in the past year. The Rays are making a push towards the second half of the season to pull themselves out of their terrible start and that could keep the Rays from trading Price.
The Mariners are currently in wild card contention and they are weighing whether to give up a bit of their future to win now, as they have the chance to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The Mariners may also have to part with one or two of Chris Taylor, Austin Wilson, Edwin Diaz, and Victor Sanchez says Lookout Landing and while that is a ton to give up, it could be worth it.
The Mariners had some interest in Price during the winner before he signed his small deal with the Rays and they would have pulled off the deal, but Price did not want to sign an extension there. The team is playing well and they may want to risk moving young players to get another top of the line starter, but their main issues right now aren't pitching and no one wants to mess up the formula in the emerald city while the team is in playoffs contention.
The Dodgers need some arms as well to add to their deep stable and the Cardinals are one team that wants a commitment from Price if they are going to give up prospects for him. Price has been on fire of late as he has gone 4-0 in July with a sub 1.00 Era and that has made his price go up even more for the Rays. Tampa is not sure they want to sell yet since Price is also under team control next year, but they are not signing him long term and this could be the best option for both sides.