The Unavoidable Reality Of The David Price Deal

The risk of acquiring David Price at the deadline was that he'd leave via free agency and that appears to be what's going to happen.

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Welcome to the inevitable end of David Price’s tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays.

When since-departed general manager Alex Anthopoulos acquired the veteran left-handed starter at the trade deadline, it was a departure from his traditional stance. Over the years, Anthopoulos had preached a “No Rentals” policy, refusing to part with prospects in exchange for players on expiring contracts.

Price became the exception – a proven front of the line starter that could help the Blue Jays get over the hump in the American League East and the cost was three pitching prospects, all lefties, including Spring Training darling Daniel Norris.

The 2012 Cy Young Award winner delivered in Toronto during the regular season, posting a 9-1 record with a 2.30 ERA over all starts, instantly becoming the true ace the club needed. He seemed to revel in the electricity that filled the Rogers Centre and the excitement the team generated across the country as the Jays broke ended their playoff drought.

In the postseason, however, his performance was uneven, as has been his norm since his first taste of October baseball out of the bullpen with Tampa Bay during his rookie season. Strong starts fell apart late as Price was out-performed on the mound by both Marco Estrada and Marcus Stroman. The Jays got bounced by Kansas City, the season ended and Price became a free agent.

And it looks like he’s not coming back to Toronto next season.

The usual suspects – the Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants and Red Sox – have stepped forward as the frontrunners to sign Price, as expected. He’s expected to command serious dollars on the open market (after making $19M last year) and from the time he arrived in Toronto, the consensus was that the club would not be able to match the offers that would come in from the collection of deep-pocketed clubs that have already moved to the front of the line to acquire his services.

When Price expressed how much he enjoyed the atmosphere in Toronto after his debut, it was a glimmer of hope that maybe – just maybe – he would give the team a discount and return, recognizing that their window for challenging for the World Series was still open and that there isn’t all that much difference between $25M in San Francisco and $20M in Toronto… even though there is, especially when you factor in the exchange rate and taxes.

He did enjoy his time, but that “rented hometown discount” doesn’t seem like something he’s ready to accept, so his time in Toronto will end up being 11 regular season starts and a handful of postseason appearances; the baseball equivalent of a sparkler – exciting and really fun to start before ultimately fizzling out.

And here’s where new President Mark Shapiro’s comments about questioning Anthopoulos’ moves in the moment and having reservations about shipping out prospects for a player that is likely to have decamped by the end of December come back into focus. Norris, Matt Boyd and Jairo Lebourt are now property of the Detroit Tigers and David Price is going to be a Cardinal or a Cub or a Giant or a Dodger or (please god no) a Red Sock and the Blue Jays have squadoosh to show for it.

Sure, they got a strong couple of months and built a bunch of excitement for next season, but they also jettisoned three quality prospects and have a vacancy in the starting rotation. This was the risk all along and now that it’s becoming a reality, it stings even more than expected. Safe travels wherever you land, David Price.

Please don’t let it be Boston… please don’t let it be Boston… please don’t let it be Boston…

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