MLB Rumors: Tampa Bay Rays ready to trade David Price ‘right now’
By Bryan Rose
The Tampa Bay Rays have toyed with the idea of trading ace pitcher David Price for quite some time. Just last offseason there were strong rumors that Price could be making his way to Southern California as the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared ready to make a move for the former Cy Young award winner, but Tampa’s asking price was reportedly too rich for the Dodgers.
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Of course, the Rays likely felt they’d come into this season as contenders in the American League and weren’t going to give away their ace for anything less than a king’s ransom. However, given the Rays are now among the worst teams in baseball and a postseason run is all but out of the question, it appears as if Tampa’s front office is willing to pull the trigger on a David Price trade and are open to do so immediately according to Buster Olney (via MLB Trade Rumors).
“While no deal is imminent at the moment, rival officials tell ESPN’s Buster Olney that the Rays are prepared to move David Price “right now” if the right offer presents itself.”
Price is among a handful of front line starters who find themselves on the trade block, though given that Price is still signed through next season as well, the Rays are likely to command a pretty penny for his services, despite his less than stellar performance this season.
The Rays are said to prefer to trade Price to the National League so they don’t have to see him very often and Olney speculates the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals as potential destinations.