Detroit Tigers: Top trade deadline suitors for David Price

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May 31, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The city of Detroit is known for many things: it’s the pinnacle of automobile manufacturing in America, the birthplace of Motown Records, and the home to some of the most delicious coney dogs on the planet.

But when the calendar strikes July, Detroit is known for being residence to one of the most active baseball front offices in baseball. Detroit Tigers GM David Dombrowski and his band of merry men often swing trades as though they’re going out of style.

This season things are a bit different, though. With the Tigers faltering in the standings, the decision whether to buy or sell needs to be made.

Rather speculate, bluntness would be the most effective form of explanation for this…

The Detroit Tigers need to trade David Price. Being a free agent come season’s end, Price will command such an enormous contract that it would be inept for Detroit to even ponder keeping the former Cy Young Award winner around. The team needs to trade the lefty and squeeze every last ounce of talent that they can get out of him.

Now let’s take a look at the top suitors for the flame-throwing David Price…

Kansas City Royals

May 22, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals players Omar Infante (14), Alcides Escobar (2), Eric Hosmer (35), and Mike Moustakas (8) celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

What!? How can you even think about trading one of the best pitchers in the league to a division rival?

Well, it’s actually quite plausible. With the Tigers on the decline and the Royals on the rise, it’s not as though the two clubs will be competing with one another during the stretch of the season. If the Tigers were to face Price in the later months, it wouldn’t really matter.

Another fact to consider is that even in their wildest dreams, the Royals cannot afford to sign Price to a long-term deal. The team couldn’t even lock up James Shields and he signed for way less than what Price will. If traded to Kansas City, Price will be nothing more than a rent-a-player.

Kansas City has everything; a stellar offense, a lock-down bullpen, and a quality starting rotation. The only thing they are missing is a definite ace that will lead them to the playoffs. Price could be that definite ace.

Another thing working in Kansas City (and Detroit’s) favor is the amount of talent the Royals have to offer to Detroit. There is no shortage of talent in the KC clubhouse, a nice return for the Tigers is highly likely if a deal is made.

Chicago Cubs

May 19, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) looks on during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs can offer David Price something that no other team can: Joe Maddon. Price played under Maddon while with the Tampa Bay Rays, and recently spoke about his time with Maddon:

Joe is a very unique manager…he was perfect for our team in Tampa. It’s kind of the same way in Chicago right now. “He does a really good job of making everybody in the clubhouse comfortable, loose and relaxed. When you have young guys, that’s what you need…”

Price continued his comments in saying “It’s very similar to when I first came up in Tampa. Just a bunch of young guys out there having fun. That’s what it’s about. You have to be able to have fun. I don’t want to win and not have fun. I wouldn’t rather lose and have fun, but it’s pretty close.”

Connecting the dots here doesn’t take a super genius, but it sounds a lot like Price digs the idea of calling Wrigley Field home.

With a bright future and tons of money to spend, the Cubs would even be able to sign Price to a long-term deal, pairing him up with Jon Lester at the top of the rotation for years to come.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Jun 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) is greeted by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) after a home run in the fourth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the vacuum cleaner of Major League Baseball. No matter what their situation may be, they suck up all the talent they can. Which is why they are included in even the smallest whisper of a trade rumor.

Blockbuster trades are the mentality in LA. And it’s not just Price that is in their sights, Johnny Cuteo of the Cincinatti Reds and Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies are also speculated to be pursued by LA.

Los Angeles wants a World Series title just as much as everyone else, but with the expectations they have given themselves, they have been met with constant disappointment as of recently. Perhaps a trade for David Price would do the trick (or at least in their minds).

A rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and David Price would be a juggernaut.

Excess and greed power the Dodgers, so keep close eyes on them with Price and remember that Los Angeles does not care what the price tag is.

New York Yankees

May 27, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) is greeted by third baseman Chase Headley (12) and first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) and left fielder Brett Gardner (11) after hitting a three run home run in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

It’s always fair to assume that baseball’s evil empire will be in the mix when a big name player is included.

The New York Yankees have surprised everybody this season and have led the mediocre AL East for most of the season. But the one thing that they lack is consistent pitching. To make an even remotely decent playoff run, consistent pitching is a necessity.

With the rotation in shambles expect the Yanks to be in the hunt for arms come the deadline.

What makes New York such an appropriate suitor is the fact that David Price, until last season, spent his entire career in the AL East. He knows the lineups and the individual players, making him deadly in returning him to his old stomping grounds.

Tyler Duma, of Bleacher Report, discusses that the team is in need of another starter:

“CC Sabathia has been beyond hittable, allowing 11.2 hits per-nine, along with an unsightly 1.6 HR/9 ratio. Behind him, NathanEovaldi hasn’t been what the team hoped he would be, and Michael Pineda has been streaky. “Maybe the team waits it out with the hope that their five starters can hold down the for…or, maybe they make a move to put them over the top and set themselves up for immediate success.”

Price would also be backed up by a finely tuned offense: New York is currently third in runs scored in all of MLB.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Jul 2, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen (22) and Starling Marte (6) congratulate each other after scoring in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Pirates?

Yes, the Pirates.

Pittsburgh has the third best win percentage in the entire MLB. In fact, they would be leading their division if they were anywhere but the NL Central.

After bursting on to the postseason scene a couple seasons ago, the Bucs have been quite lackluster in October, but things are looking different this year. The team has one of the best pitching staffs in the league, but who’s to say they can’t make it even better.

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