For the first time is what feels like an eternity for the Chicago Cubs and their fan base, there is nothing but excitement for the trade deadline. Clubs to reportedly covet Price include the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago Cubs. Now, with news coming out of Detroit that the Tigers have placed lefty pitcher David Price, and leftfielder Yoenis Cespedes on the trade block, Houston looks to be connected to a new name. Which could convince a player like Price to perhaps increase his stay in Houston.
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Throughout the season to this point, Price has compiled a 9-3 record to go along with a 2.31 ERA and a 4.96 K/BB ratio. He won’t be with the Tigers despite being traded or not, according to The Detroit Free Press. 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. Bringing Price to Chicago would mean reuniting him with Joe Maddon, the only other manager he’s known in his career besides Tigers’ Brad Ausmus – and also with longtime Rays’ bench coach Dave Martinez, who came to the Cubs along with Maddon this past winter.
There are expected to be as many as eight suitors for Price with a number of teams in the mix for wildcard races in the American and National Leagues, but the Cubs have the ability to trump every other team with their treasure chest of prospects. It’s been well over a century since the franchise has won it all but if it could land Price, the Cubs could have a chance to break the curse. With an aggressive front office and ownership group who does not want to fall short yet again, LA seems a likely landing spot for Price, and they are one team that has the depth within their farm system to afford a player of his caliber. Billy McKinney? Starlin Castro?
On Tuesday, Price said a contract extension with the Tigers has never been off the table. Even not wanting to give up prospects, it’s probably selling the process short by saying “just go sign him in the offseason” -like it’s that easy.
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The latter has occurred with mild success, with Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks pitching deeper into games with more regularity, and Jason Hammel on a similar path until he suffered left leg stiffness 2 weeks ago. No one is going to blame them for waiting until the offseason to significantly upgrade. “After that, they would be at a disadvantage unless he was willing to sit out until May 15”.
