Detroit Tigers Links: Yoenis Cespedes and David Price want to stay

The Detroit Tigers have begun their annual Winter Caravan leading up to next week’s TigerFest.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

A lot of interesting storylines came out of the first day, including the first appearance of Yoenis Cespedes as a Tiger. Among the things he discussed was seeing snow for the first time, discussing but turning down a contract extension in Boston, and wanting to perform for the Tigers, the team he thought would be his landing spot coming out of Cuba as an international free agent before the 2012 season. He also stated he would be open to talking long-term with Detroit. He is eligible for free agency following this season.

David Price also discussed his pending free agency and put to rest his alleged discontentment in Detroit. He also said he would be agreeable to a long-term deal if the terms were to his liking. Dave Dombrowski noted that Price was never a trade candidate despite all the offseason rumors.

It’s great both Price and Cespedes want to remain in Detroit, but did you really expect them to say otherwise on before the start of the season?

Finally, its a bit of a concern that Jose Iglesias cannot anoint himself 100% healthy at this point, but he is confident he will be ready to go at the start of Spring Training.

Tigers’ Yoenis Cespedes: ‘I’m just here to perform’ – Tony Paul, Detroit News

"Now Cespedes is in Detroit, and Thursday met with the media for the first time since coming over from Boston in the Rick Porcello deal.“There was a lot of interest (from Detroit,” Cespedes said of those 2011-12 talks. “It didn’t end up working out.”He’s entering the final year of his contract. The Tigers haven’t approached him about a long-term extension yet, but Cespedes said he’d be open to talking.“I’m just here to perform,” said Cespedes, bundled up for the cold. This is the first time he’s seen snow.There were extension talks with the Red Sox before they traded him in December. Boston acquired him from Oakland for Jon Lester last July.This offseason, there were reports out of Boston that suggested Cespedes, 29, was a clubhouse issue. He strongly denied that Thursday, and Avila echoed that, saying there have been zero red flags since the Tigers first began scouting him years ago."

David Price open to long-term extension with Detroit Tigers: ‘I’ve enjoyed my time here’ – James Schmehl, MLive

"“I’ve enjoyed my time here,” Price said at Comerica Park. “I enjoyed being in the clubhouse, in the dugout and pitching for these guys. It was a lot of fun. We feel like we have some unfinished business and we’re looking to get after it.”Price’s comments come several months after a report surfaced in October suggesting the 29-year-old was said to have had an early period of discontentment soon after his trade to Detroit.Price admitted Thursday that it was a rough transition to move to Detroit after spending seven-plus years in Tampa, but any lingering struggles have dissipated.“People have to understand, I was somewhere else for seven years,” he told a group of reporters. “I pitched against this team on July 4 weekend and three weeks later, I’m part of this team. That’s a difficult transition to go through.“But like I said last year, all the guys on the team, the coaching staff and the fans, they made it a lot easier for me. Now that I’ve been in the clubhouse and on the plane and in the dugout with these guys, it makes everything feel a lot more like home.”"

Tigers’ Jose Iglesias insists he’ll be 100% for spring – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

"“I will be 100% for spring training,” Iglesias said.The Tigers shortstop missed all of last season with a stress fracture in both legs and said he was cleared by doctors for all physical activity last week in Vail, Colo.“I feel great,” he said. “I’m good to do everything and, obviously, I’m in a spot where I gotta be smart, but I’m cleared to do anything it takes to play baseball.”The only hurdle he has yet to clear is sprinting at 100 percent, but Iglesias was adamant that will come before spring training.“I’m close to it,” he said. “I’m about 75-80% every time I run. I’ve been running, fielding, hitting, jumping and doing everything pain free and I’m excited — excited – for 2015.”"

Next: #TBT Norm Cash: Detroit Tigers slugger gone too soon