The Cubs are in the market for a starting pitcher, but reports have been scattered as to what level of pitcher the team is interested in adding. Chicago has not won a World Series since 1908. However, the Cubs have a winning record of 51-43 and now hold the second N.L. Wild Card spot by 1/2 game over the San Francisco Giants.
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Would the Cubs be willing to part with an potential impact player to land Price? “Just two weeks ago, Epstein confessed that an organization should never take a chance to get into the playoffs for granted”. 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. Arrieta has blossomed into a legitimate Cy Young contender, and both Hammel and Hendricks have proven their worth to the Cubs.
It remains to be seen what the Tigers will do with Price, but one thing is clear: The Cubs will be heavily involved in the Price sweepstakes.
The Cubs connection to Price is about as surprising as the sun coming up this morning. Price, should the CUbs win that game, could then slide into the back end of the rotation in the NLDS’s crucial deciding games.
Despite the tantalizing thought of Lester, Arrieta, and Price atop the rotation, the reality is that the Cubs have no reason to be antsy. According to a report by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, even if the Tigers decide not to trade the left-hander, the team doesn’t expect to re-sign him at any point.
However, in Chicago, Price could become much more. Nor can it re-sign him as a free agent until after May 15 of the following year.
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Levine says that Price will likely seek a deal very similar to what Lester signed this past offseason. The Cubs are unlikely to unload top prospects that they have built their farm system with, but a package including a few prospects is possible. Price might ask for five or six years at $25 million per year. The Tigers can still contend this year by adding the right pieces at the deadline and they wouldn’t be in bad shape for the foreseeable future – at least offensively.
