The new contract to Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is slowly changing the way other pitchers think about their future with their current team. Hernandez recently signed a $175 million contract, making him the highest paid pitcher. So who is going to be the next big arm to get paid? David Price wants it to be him. However, Tampa Bay has never shoveled that amount of money a player's way in their history. Price could be on his way out if Tampa Bay does not pay up.
"I do think about it from time to time. But as of right now, I'm a Ray. And I love being a part of this group," Price said.
At 27-years old, Price is one of the best arms in major league baseball. He is not scheduled to be a free agent for three more years. He is currently living on a one-year contract this season, paying him about $10 million. That is currently the most money the Rays have ever paid a pitcher in their 15-year history.
Tampa Bay does not have a good history at retaining starting pitchers when it comes time to pay them more money. They traded Matt Garza in January of 2011 when he was three years away from free agency because they did not want to pay him the money. Team vice president Andrew Friedman intends on holding on to Price for hopefully his entire career.
"In a vacuum, the starting point is that we'd like David to be here for a long time, and David would like to be here for a long time. So at least that's a good starting point. And it remains to be seen whether that's feasible," Friedman said.
If the Rays intend on keeping Price, they will have to start thinking big money. Last season, Price was a finalist for the Cy Young Award. He went 20-5 on the season. He held on to a 2.56 ERA with 205 strikeouts on the year. He is worthy of a big contract and will certainly take his talents outside of Florida to get the contract he desires.
While Price is currently professing his love for Tampa Bay, when his year's contract is up, he might be singing a different tune. The team is currently strapped financially with the money they devoted to third baseman Even Longoria and they might not have the cash to hand to Price when the time comes.
