David Price didn’t have his best start for the Rays yesterday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a pair of walks with six strikeouts in seven innings, but that won’t curb any trade interest in the Cy Young candidate. Price may have thought that he dodged a bullet yesterday, as he admitted to reporters that he thought the trade deadline was Wednesday afternoon. As we well know around these parts, that’s not the case, and the Tampa Bay ace could find himself on the move before 3pm CT today. Indications have been that the Rays will hang onto Price, but we’ll keep track of the final developments right here…
- The Rays are actively seeking to make a deal on Price, though that does not mean that the team is lowering its asking price, reports Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Conversations remain open with multiple teams, Stark adds.
- Talks on Price have picked up some steam since Jon Lester was dealt, tweets Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. A deal now appears more likely than it did last night.
- The Rays entered deadline day expecting to hold, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. But the team will continue listening on Price, waiting to see if a big offer comes through the door at the last minute.
- A source familiar with conversations says it is “doubtful” that the Dodgers will land Price, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Los Angeles has long been said to be one of the possible landing spots for the outstanding lefty, though GM Ned Colletti said last night that he has no interest in dealing away his team’s three blue chip prospects (to say nothing of more than one of them) in any trade.
Jeff Todd contributed to this post.
Dave 32
If the Cardinals who have the prospects necessary to land Price weren’t able to do it, his asking price is too high and nobody else is going to jump at him either because I don’t think any team has the prospect depth like St. Louis that could absorb a crazy amount like what they have to be demanding.
I’m completely convinced Masterson to the Cards was becuase the Rays wanted the top 3 prospects in the system plus that competitive balance pick instead of the slightly more reasonable 2 good prospects, competitive balance pick and maybe Shelby Miller.
Mike Adamson
The Pirates do.
Trock
It’s not an argument of who has the prospects, but about the asking price of Price. I think there are quite a few teams who have the prospects to get it done (including the Pirates) but as a Pirates fan, would you want to to give up your top 3 prospects for him?
wallywhack
Yes, if you can absorb the loss and the hit to your payroll, this is an question to answer. There are very few players worth three high ranking prospects and a boat load of money. Price is one such player.
MB923
Morosi said talks are heating up for Price now.
MB923
Predictions on where Price goes? St. Louis? Pittsburgh? LA? Staying put?
john sands
stays in Tampa..
MB923
That’s my guess.
PittsburghPirates0022
Seattle
Tim Richer
If he goes I think Seattle would be the only team willing to meet the price, no pun intended. Highly doubt he goes though.
MB923
I think they need a bat more than a SP. They’ve played awful ball as of late and it isn’t because of pitching. They have been averaging about 2 runs a game.
Tim Richer
I just feel like Jack Z is a wild card and could match Tampa’s demands. I doubt it happens though.
RaysfaninMN
Current speculation on rumor sites is that the Rays would want a deal centered on Walker and Zunino. Seattle does not want to include Zunino (I do not blame them).
Even as crazy as Jack Z is, I doubt they give in on that asking price from TB.
RaysfaninMN
I do however think if the Rays offered Price + Desmond Jennings + Oviedo or Peralta for Walker, Zunino, and Nick Franklin Seattle would think about it.
vtadave
Of course they would.
TheRealRyan 2
I have to think Jennings has a ton of trade value by himself if 1.5 seasons of Cespedes was good enough to get half a season of a TOR LHP. Three and half seasons of Jennings would have to be a huge return, probably at least similar to Price’s return.
mrnatewalter
I can’t wait for the Price trade saga to be over… the “price pun” is getting old lol, intentional or not.
Tim Richer
I typed it first without realizing it, and felt like a moron.
Travis2014
All talk. I could have seen it if the Pirates got Lester, maybe then Cards would have the motivation. I also don’t see the Dodgers being motivated enough.
dave 39
St. Louis. Oscar Taverez, Shelby Miller, Trevor Rosenthal, Kolten Wong, Matt Carepnter going to the Rays for David Price, Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist, Joel Peralta.
vtadave
My head would explode if that happened.
Bleed_Orange
No way the Rays trade Longo. That deal would land the other 3 tho
cyberboo
must be a st. louis fan. lol. Taveras, Miller, Wong, and Carpenter for Price maybe, but Longoria, Zobrist and Peralta for Rosenthal, I highly doubt it. lol. Now, if it is, Wong, Taveras, Piscotty, Miller, Martinez, Dias, Carpenter, Kaminsky, Reyes, and Gonzalez, then that trade might happen. lol.
vtadave
10 players going from one side?
cyberboo
I was exaggerating just a tad, since he suggested four of Tampa’s top players in exchange for five players. I pointed out that the names submitted would just be for Price, let alone anyone else. Ten players for those four sounded about right. lol. Deadline day humour.
dave 39
I was joking,
cardinalsfan27
Must be a Ray’s fan. That’s way too much for Price.
RaysfaninMN
Thoughts on Price + Zobrist for OT, C Martinez, and Shelby Miller?
Might have to be a few throw ins on either side but these as the center pieces?
vtadave
Rays would have to do that.
TheRealRyan 2
This could maybe be enough as the headliners, but only if the Rays are 100% sure that there is nothing wrong with Miller. It would probably still take another 2-3 B/B- level prospects from the Cardinals though to even it out.
One and half seasons of Zobrist is much more valuable than one and half seasons of Cespedes. Cespedes was able to get half a season of Lester. Looking at the Greinke trade for comparable value to Lester and Zobrist would need at least a top 50 prospect plus two other B/B- level prospects by himself.
Gnotorious
Atlanta for Wood, Sims, Peraza and Bethancourt
Matt Talbert
Ewww no. Wood, Graham, Wren, and Bethancourt I would do. Keep Simms and Peraza those are the only blue chip prospects we have I think.
Dan Nys.
St. Louis for Miller, Taveras, Marco Gonzalez
mrnatewalter
Giants for Sergio Romo, Tim Lincecum (along with every penny in his contract), Angel Pagan as is, and the snack packs Brian Sabean brought his in his lunch… that should be enough.
Remember92
Pedro Alvarez, Josh Bell, Harold Ramirez or Andrew Lambo, and Nick Kingham? Wonder if that would be enough. Just don’t know if Tampa would prefer Pedro over Loney to move to first with Longoria at third? Or Marte, Kingham, and Ramirez or Lambo?
Bleed_Orange
You would think they would ask for Tallion (even injured)
KermitJagger
I think the Pirates would be wise to focus any deal around Marte. I like him a lot but am not sure if he is the cornerstone LF of the future. I’d think Marte, Kingham, Lambo would be the start of the discussion. Id include Alvarez + another prospect or two and ask for Zobrist back as well if we are indeed going all-in. Still, not likely.
mrnatewalter
Billy Beane goes all in and trades Josh Donaldson for Price. Calling it.
MB923
When is Donaldson a FA?
mrnatewalter
It’s a joke.
MB923
Well it’s not a terrible swap (unlike the Fuld for Millone one), though it wouldn’t make sense for Oakland.
mrnatewalter
It would be a terrible trade for Oakland.
Spectac1
Yes it is a terrible swap. Donaldson is under contract for another year for cheap.
MB923
Well that’s why I asked when he was a FA.
not_brooks
What’s so bad about the Milone/Fuld trade?
A’s needed an outfielder who can play defense, and Milone, while young-ish and controllable has a 4.52 ERA outside of the Coliseum and pedestrian stuff that allows no margin for error.
He’s fortunate to go to another pitcher’s park in Minnesota, but the loss of all the foul ground is going to hurt him.
MB923
Millone is a mid rotation starter still under team control for a few years. Fuld is nothing more than a 4th OFer.
not_brooks
Milone’s success is a product of the Coliseum. 4.52 career road ERA. 4.40 this year.
He’ll be fine in the big park & cold weather in Minnesota, but he’ll be ugly on the road, as usual.
The A’s rotation is set this year, and while I would have liked someone better, Fuld is a very good defender and a threat on the basepaths. With Crisp hurting and Gentry down, the A’s needed a guy like that.
MB923
And his sucess should continue in Minnesota and in the AL Central.
My point is, they could have got more for Millone than Fuld.
not_brooks
Perhaps a guy who has to throw half of his starts in certain conditions to potentially be successful isn’t as good/valuable as you’re making him out to be.
MB923
Perhaps a guy with a .240 BA lifetime and career WAR of 3.1 in 7 seasons isn’t as good as you make him out to be.
not_brooks
Not at all.
Two teams with a need, two players that fill those needs perfectly, despite their flaws.
mrnatewalter
Excess pitcher for excess outfielder (when Crisp comes back).. I thought that trade was actually pretty decent, especially considering the need for pitching in Minnesota.
Tony Matias
Tigers close to Price and Zobrist…
Jerry Mandering
Who could the Tigers possibly have left unless they’re giving up some major league talent?
DempseyK
1 of Jameson Taillon/Tyler Glasnow/Nick Kingham Plus Brandon Cumpton, Jacoby Jones, Clay Holmes, and Barret Barnes for David Price and Ben Zobrist…Pirates could toss in 1 of Barmes/Martinez/ frieri too considering they would be dfa’ed to clear roster space. Make it happen Neal, but dont give up Bell, Hanson, Meadows, OR more than 1 of your top 3 pitching prospects. Heck, Id even add Harold Ramirez to the deal if we can get back a reliable 7th inning guy…that should surely sweeten the pot.
Chris Vinnit
Don’t want Zobrist. He’s a really good player but I’m happy with our OF/2B and while he plays SS, I can live with Mercer there. He’d just drive up the price and I’d prefer to keep the minors still semi-stocked.
Price alone would probably be one of Glasnow/Taillon/Kingham (probably Glasnow) plus another elite player (Bell or Meadows, probably Bell) plus two lesser pieces like Heredia and Cumpton. That alone is a king’s ransom but the Pirates system could absorb it. I wouldn’t want to sell off any more assets, though, even though I do love the Zorilla.
vtadave
Dodgers: Pederson, Chase Anderson, Guerrero, and Zach Lee for Price and Zobrist.
Bleed_Orange
If they Rays got that offer they would have to take it
javywoz
For Price, sure, not for Price and Zobrist. Too little.
mike-5
Dodger already said that Pederson and maybe one of those other guys are basically untouchable and aren’t being dealt, we’ll see
vtadave
I think they’re said more along the lines of there is no one out there they would deal all three for.
mrnatewalter
Rays would likely want Pederson, Seager, and Urias or Lee… if they trade Price, they’ll have to be compelled.
sherrilltradedooverexperience
well dodgers would be ok substituting urias for lee, but i think then it goes to pederson or seager, not both. So 1 of the top 20’s, Lee who is close to top 100, a good hitting cuban second baseman in his prime, and someone who’s top 10 but not top 5. you’d be free to move yuni and could slide zobrist to short.
javywoz
I think as long as the Rays get 2/3 of their big 3 (plus other minor parts), they should jump on it. Would love to see Pederson in the lineup next year with Longo and Myers
sherrilltradedooverexperience
kinda realistic.
sherrilltradedooverexperience
chris anderson instead of chase anderson?
MB923
It’s the Fake Ken Rosenthal account
Phinilinipeni
Doug Melvin shocks the world.
Casey J
What would the Angels have to give up ?
vtncsc
Things they don’t have.
Casey J
Obviously, it was just a simple question
vtadave
Deal probably would start with Garrett Richards and go from there.
Kyle 16
With the moves the Cardinals have made, I’m less hesitant to hold onto my top prospects (Pirates fan) and more inclined to make a deal happen to bring in Price.
Danny Phillips
It’s debatable whether the Cards have even improved. Where’s the offense?
Phinilinipeni
I might call it an improvement if they had a shutdown bullpen….but unless the offense starts hitting instead of losing 12-1 it will be 6-1.
iedodgerfan
Pederson,Lee,Guerrero plus 1 low level guy for Price and a reliever
Chris Vinnit
If there was one player I wouldn’t mind the Pirates spending top prospects for, it’s David Price. Elite pitcher with 1.5 years of control and a fairly reasonable contract. Forget Lester or Lackey or Kennedy, Price is the guy they should’ve been after all along. I’m sure it’ll take two A++ elite prospects plus 2 more very good pieces to land him but I think he’s the kind of difference maker that separates the Pirates from the pack and puts them head and shoulders above the rest of the NL Central.
max l
Just imagine if Seattle got him. Every game between Seattle, Oakland & Anaheim should be must watch TV this game:
Mariners with Felix, Price, Iwakuma and Young.
A’s with Lester, Gray, Shark & Kazmir
Angels with Weaver and an underrated Richards & Skaggs. Their shortage in rotation makes up for it with the best offense of the 3.