MLB Trade Rumors: Tampa Bay Rays demanded insane return in David Price trade offer
By Josh Hill
The Tampa Bay Rays have made it no secret that they’d like to move ace David Price before the time comes where he just walks away from the team in free agency. Bby trading him, the team can get something in return for their big arm and according to a report from The Cleveland Plain Dealer, that return the Rays are seeking is insanely high.
Earlier this week, the Indians phoned the Rays to see what it would take to pry Price away from them and the demand Tampa Bay asked for is almost laughable.
"When the Tribe talked to Tampa Bay, names mentioned by the Rays were Carlos Santana and Danny Salazar. I was told those two were starting points, and the Rays also wanted some top minor league prospects. I heard Francisco Lindor’s name also was mentioned."
The Indians could also find a time machine and throw in Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome and Sandy Alomar Jr. in their prime as well. The Rays-Indians deal obviously went nowhere after Cleveland heard the asking price for the starter but this might give us a good idea as to why Price hasn’t been dealt yet. There are still two years left on his contract, an attractive feature in trade talks, but the Rays clearly aren’t going to just give him up because they feel they need to.
It’s possible that the asking price for the Rays’ starter was so high because Cleveland is contender in the A.L. and Tampa Bay knows they’d have to face Price in the postseason. But still, talk about a King’s ransom.
Seattle remains an option for Price, as do the Chicago Cubs but the Indians will not be trading away their present and future to land Price from the Rays.