David Price is now officially the most popular player on the MLB trade market at this moment. The Detroit Tigers have confirmed the pitcher is available and with Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels now on their way to their respective new teams, Price is the man at the center of every rumor. The Tigers are aiming to rebuild in the coming season and looking to acquire as many prospects as possible. Could the Los Angeles Dodgers still be in play?
The Dodgers were part of a marquee three-team trade on Wednesday that presumably took them out of the race for Price. However, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers had no intention of giving up their own prospects for Price, so they traded for assets to then hand over to Detroit. Sounds complicated, right?
UPDATE: It appears the Blue Jays have acquired David Price
The Dodgers, Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves negotiated a three-team trade that has yet to be fully finalized by the league. According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Dodgers are receiving starter Alex Wood, closer Jim Johnson, relieve Luis Avilan and infielder Jose Peraza from the Braves. The Dodgers then gave the Marlins several pitching prospects while Atlanta receivers infielder Hector Olivera and minor league pitcher Zack Bird. The Marlins also agreed to trade Mat Latos and Michael Morse to the Dodgers for three minor league pitchers, but that deal is being held up due to medical exams.
The Dodgers are now loaded with young, tradable assets that they could easily shop to the Detroit Tigers for Price. Nightengale reports that most MLB executives are convinced that the Dodgers end up with Price, giving up prospects and potentially either Yasiel Puig or Julio Urias. That would give Detroit plenty of young talent to build around plus an established star to lead the team in 2015.
The Dodgers are not the only team still searching for Price. According to Nightengale, the Toronto Blue Jays are closing in a deal for the pitcher. The Blue Jays are trying to make a deal for the short-term and long-term outlook and Price is certainly the best out there at the moment. Any team that makes a trade for Price will likely try and re-sign him in free agency as he plays out the final months of his current contract. Price will not be a cheap deal to make, but teams like the Dodgers who could pair him with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke will offer up just about any kind of money.