MLB Trade Rumors: Chicago Cubs Interested In David Price?
Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline is just over one week away, and one more major name could be on the move. The Detroit Tigers’ left-handed pitcher David Price has become a topic of discussion as the team falls further out of playoff contention. If he is made available, there will be several potential suitors.
According to Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago, the Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in acquiring the soon-to-be 30-year-old pitcher. Levine does note that about eight other teams are expected to inquire on Price, but the Cubs would likely have the edge in a potential trade.
The Cubs have several promising young prospects, as well as a number of outfielders that could be of interest to Detroit. But since Price is a free agent at the end of the season, he would be just a two-month rental for the Cubs. Yet, Levine mentions that having a three-headed monster rotation of Price, Jake Arrieta, and Jon Lester entices Chicago.
Apparently, it also entices Price, who had some fun on Twitter with the aforementioned pitchers.
Jake I always loved you…but that right there makes me love u more!! RT @JArrieta34: @Darron1908 @JLester34 @DAVIDprice14 Price a #3? ??
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) July 20, 2015
Both Lester (5-8, 3.37 ERA) and Arrieta (11-5, 2.52 ERA) are having quality seasons for the Cubs, and the addition of Price would only strengthen the team. On the season, Price owns a 9-3 record with a 2.32 ERA in 132 innings. Yet, him becoming a member of the Cubs makes sense in more ways than just his obvious abilities.
For starters, Price spent his entire tenure with the Tampa Bay rays under the tutelage of current Cubs skipper Joe Maddon. Therefore, he would be coming to play in a system he’s already familiar with. Also, the Cubs have not been a playoff contender in several years. So, with a chance to return to the postseason viable, making the necessary upgrades will be crucial.
One interesting circumstance is that both the Tigers and Cubs find themselves in similar situations. Neither the Tigers or Cubs will likely win their divisions. The Tigers trail the Kansas City Royals by 10.5 games in the AL Central while the Cubs trail the St. Louis Cardinals by nine game in the NL Central. But the Tigers are just three games back of the second Wild Card in the AL, while the Cubs are currently the second Wild Card in the NL.
The Inquisitr reported recently that the Tigers would be sellers at the deadline, with players such as Yoenis Cespedes and Price available. While it is odd for a team that is technically still in contention to sell their best starter, Price will likely command a salary north of $25 million on the market. The Tigers showed their reluctance to give that sort of money to a pitcher this past offseason, letting right-hander Max Scherzer walk.
Thus, the Tigers will likely want to receive a nice package of young players and prospects for Price, since they will likely not re-sign him. And for the Cubs, they would receive two months of a dominant rotation that could separate them from the pack and run roughshod into the postseason and hopefully beyond.
[Images by Jonathan Daniel and Brian Blanco/Getty Images]
