The Tampa Bay Rays have arguably the biggest name on the trade market in 29-year-old ace left-hander David Price, but could they ship him to St. Louis for one of the top young bats in all of baseball?
According to reports, the Cardinals are reportedly "in play" to land the superstar pitcher and could be willing to part with outfield stud Oscar Taveras. The Belleville News Democrat's David Wilhelm told Bleacherreport.com "The name we hear all over the stadium every day is David Price.
"It would seem to make sense for the Cardinals to go after a pitcher like David Price, but the big sticking point is going to be how much to the Rays want? If the Cardinals get another player along with Price, like Ben Zobrist, then the cost is going to be even higher."
When asked specifically what players might be on the move, Wilhelm started off with Taveras. "I really do believe Oscar Taveras is in play here."
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Taveras has struggled in a small sample size at the MLB level, batting .205 with one home run and five RBI in 88 plate appearances. He has also struggled for playing time in a crowded, veteran Cardinals outfield featuring Matt Holliday and Allen Craig in the corners with Jon Jay in center field. Taveras' opening would most likely be to replace Jay in center, but manager Mike Matheny has expressed reluctance previously about entrusting that role to Taveras.
When asked about his sparse playing time, Matheny said ""We've got to do what we can to win today, we're not here in the development business."
Matheny talking Taveras/Craig pregame: "We've got to do what we can to win today, we're not here in the development business."
— Chris Hrabe (@chrabe) July 22, 2014
Taveras would be a major piece to give up regardless of his slow start to his career-he was hitting .318 with eight home runs and 49 RBI in Triple A this season. Price has pitched well for the struggling Rays, going 10-7 with a 3.07 ERA along with 173 strikeouts to just 21 walks.
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