As Major League Baseball's Spring Training draws closer, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price awaits his fate as the 2012 Cy Young Award winner's name has been brought up in trade rumors and he maintains that he wants to stay in Tampa Bay despite knowing it's not up to him.
According to SI.com, Price's name continues to be brought up in trade speculation with pitchers and catchers expected to report next month, and he could be on the move before that happens. The Rays and their ace pitcher agreed to terms on a one-year $14 million contract to avoid arbitration last week, but a lot can happen between now and Opening Day.
The Rays payroll has reached a franchise-high $70 million, which could lead to the team moving Price in order to dump some salary. Price hits free agency in the 2015 season, and according to multiple reports the Rays don't think they'll have the financial means to sign him to a deal when that happens, leading to speculation that the team may deal him before that happens.
Price expressed that he'd like to stay in Tampa Bay and is hopeful that he won't be traded after striking the one-year deal with his club.
"I feel like we have a good team, so hopefully we can make some kind of run," he told the Tampa Bay Times. "If we can have this team that we have right now on paper and everybody stays healthy and produces the type of seasons that we all can produce, I think we can do something special...I want to be a part of it."
Price will have to wait and see what happens and currently plans to report to Spring Training on Feb. 19 with the Rays and he is looking to help the team make the playoffs for the fifth time in seven seasons in 2014. The Rays went 92-71 last season, and defeated the Cleveland Indians in the Wild-Card Game before falling to the eventual World Series Champion Boston Red Sox in five games in the ALDS.
Price went 10-8 last season with a 3.33 ERA just one year after winning the Cy Young by going 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA. It remains to be seen what his future in Tampa Bay will hold.
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