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Blue Jays land David Price from Tigers in Trade Deadline blockbuster

By Kyle Franzoni

Aug 10, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Blue Jays have officially pushed their chips all-in, acquiring David Price in a trade with the Detroit Tigers.

If fans and the media were looking for a sign that the Toronto Blue Jays were in fact going for broke in 2015, Alex Anthopoulos just sent the signal flare soaring high in the air on Thursday. According to multiple reports (Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first), the Blue Jays are set to acquire left-hander David Price from the Detroit Tigers.

Just a few days after landing Troy Tulowitzki in the biggest trade of the season, the Blue Jays served notice on the rest of the American League that they intended to supplement their league-best offense with an ace and they landed the biggest on the market in David Price. The left-hander is 9-4 over 21 starts in 2015 with a 2.53 ERA, 3.00 FIP, and a 8.51 K/9 ratio.

David Price give the Blue Jays the ace they badly needed. The team’s starter ERA ranks 23rd in the American League at 4.34. By adding Price, they not only guarantee a stopper in the rotation, but a true #1 if the team reaches the postseason.

The return package is built around Daniel Norris, Toronto’s #1 prospect and #25 on MLB.com’s updated prospect report. The “Man in the Van” started the season in the Major Leagues, putting up a 1-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and 18 strike-outs in 23.1 innings of work. However, control issues came up due to a flaw in his delivery and he was sent back to Triple-A where he owns a 3-10 record, a  7.74 K/9 mark.

In addition to Norris, the Blue Jays will give up two more left-handed prospects; Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt. Bob Nightengale of USA Today was the first with the complete package.

Originally thought to include #4 prospect Anthony Alford, the Blue Jays instead included two additional arms in Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt. Boyd is Toronto’s #11 prospect after rocketing from Double-A New Hampshire to Toronto this season. In 18 minor league starts, the lefty is 9-2 with a 1.68 ERA and an 8.54 K/9 ratio over 112.2 innings. He also made two appearances at the Major League level in 2015, but with mixed results.

Meanwhile, LaBourt appeared in the 2015 MLB Futures Game and has a 2-7 record with a 4.59 ERA and a 7.84 K/9 mark at Single-A Dunedin. He’s a project and some are mixed on if he’ll be a starter or a reliever long-term. Developing control of inconsistent off-speed stuff will be the next step for the 21-year-old to determine his path.

This is a huge haul for the Tigers, especially considering that the Blue Jays will be unable to extend a qualifying offer to David Price before free agency. That means no recoup of a draft pick if he decides to walk. Of course, Toronto will do everything it can to re-sign the ace lefty after having sacrificed so much to get him. However, it was a move designed on winning now, and if the team can put its playoff jinx to bed, it may have been worth the risk.

Next: Baseball's Untouchable Prospect at the MLB Trade Deadline

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