The Detroit Tigers Best Pitcher Will Once Again Leave This Offseason

May 28, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) during batting practice before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Breaking News: David Price is the best pitcher on the Detroit Tigers’ roster. Yes, I know that’s not so breaking, but it still needs to be said. As Price heads toward the end of his contract season, he will continue to baffle hitters on his way to a pay day in the offseason.

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Price has been the Tigers’ horse this season. Even when he is battling his stuff, Price has worked his way through every game to win put the Tigers in position to win. The Tigers have won every one of Price’s start outside of the game against the New York Yankees when it snowed and he could not grip the baseball and Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in a game he did not deserve to lose.

Overall, Price is 4-2 with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 2015, which is actually worse than his career numbers. If Felix Hernandez continues to pitch anywhere near how he has the first two months of 2015, he will run away with the Cy Young, but Price will at least be in the conversation, as he is every season.

Once again, the Tigers’ best pitcher is heading toward the free agent market. The way the market has trended, Price, who will be 30 when he is a free agent, will bring in an incredible deal. Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a seven-year $215 million deal before the 2014 season and Max Scherzer just agreed to a seven-year $210 million deal with $105 million deferred for the seven years after his contract expires.

Price’s deal will be in the neighborhood of six or seven years and around $200 million deal. The Tigers will probably be outbid in the Price sweepstakes, especially with their caution after Justin Verlander’s contract. David Price will not resign with the Tigers next season. It is up to Dave Dombrowski and his staff to find another ace, either at the trade deadline or in the offseason, for this team if they believe they will be contenders in 2015 and beyond.

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