Detroit Tigers MLB 2015 Trade News, Rumors: Can the Tigers and David Price get Long Term Deal Completed?
David Price is waiting his turn to cash in on the free agent market. He is waiting his turn to get one of the huge contracts we have seen MLB teams doll out to front line starting pitchers. As one of the best left handed pitchers in the game today there is no doubt that Price will get contract worth north of $150 million. The only real question is if his current team can fit another big deal on their payroll.
The Detroit Tigers have already had to deal away front line starting pitchers given their payroll situation. That leaves open the very real possibility that the team trades Price t the deadline later this summer.
Serious extension talks have yet to take place between the team and Price, and Price is on record saying he will not cut off negotiations even after the season opens later this spring.
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However the reality of the Tigers payroll situation makes a long term deal between the two a long shot at best. Price will make 19.25 million for the 2015 season, and the Tigers do have other contracts coming off the books following the 2015 season but they also have a core of high priced free agents whose deals are escalating.
For the 2016 season the Tigers already have $56 million tied up in Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. They have another $48 million in deals for Anibal Sanchez, Ian Kinsler, and Victor Martinez. That means the team has $104 million tied up in just five players. If they can afford another $20 million plus deal to that remains to be seen.
Tigers' General Manager Dave Dombrowski has a proven ability to make the trades to rebuild his club on the fly, and he has managed to always find room for the deals he and his owner wants. At some point the Tigers will reach their payroll ceiling and trades will have to be made.
Given what they gave up for Price, starting Center Fielder Austin Jackson along with a very good young LHP Drew Smyly and prospects, they will certainly do whatever they can to maximize their investment in Price be that a long term deal of a deadline that gives them other pieces.
