With the MLB trade deadline just hours away all eyes fall onto David Price and the chance that the Tampa Bay Rays trade him. Price is the best player reportedly available as the Rays fight for the wild card spot in the playoffs. Thursday has already been filled with one marquee deal as the Oakland Athletics traded for Jon Lester, so with Price likely the next up, will a team make a move for him before it is too late?
Price has been hearing the trade rumors now for almost a year. The former Cy Young winner took the mound for Tampa Bay on Wednesday while Lester was scratched from his afternoon start. The result was Lester getting traded and Price struggling to put together a quality start. The ace allowed four runs and seven hits in seven innings of play as Milwaukee got the win. Now many wonder if Price is really headed anywhere?
According to Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com, the talks around Price area heating up with Lester off the market. Tampa Bay has reportedly gotten an increased number of calls following the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox deal and a move on Price could happen pretty quickly.
The favorites for the pitcher are likely the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams have money to spend. Both teams are in playoff contention. Both teams have made pitching their focus. The Dodgers are being very picky in what they opt to give up for a starting arm knowing the need is not huge. They have no interest in dealing Joc Pederson or Corey Seager from their farm league, not leaving another team with much to receive in a deal. General manager Ned Colletti confirmed that if the Dodgers are making a move before the end of the trade deadline, it will be for a pitcher, but they are in no rush to make an unfavorable deal.
The New York Yankees are another option for Price. The team has lost four starters since the beginning of season and two of them were for the entire year. Right now, they are hoping to get back Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda, but there are no guarantees. The Yankees are working towards the postseason and getting someone like Price could push them there.
Considering Price has been the subject of trade rumors for a while now is an indication that he is going nowhere. The Rays have had every opportunity to deal the starter and have backed off with each call of a team. The chances he is sent packing by 4pm is slim, but teams will certainly call to find out if they have a chance.