When the Boston Red Sox hired Dave Dombrowski to become their president of baseball operations, many envisioned big changes coming. That's still likely the case, but if he's interested in signing David Price it's going to take more than his mere presence in the Red Sox front office.
Previous rumors suggested the Red Sox would be pursuing a top-tier free-agent starter in the offseason due to the endless pitching woes they've suffered this year. The staff has definitely improved, especially as of late, but there's still a lot of work to do. The 2016 free-agent class features a number of accomplished starters that could immediate help Boston's starting rotation, and that's where Dombrowski will begin his work.
One of them is Price, who was acquired by Dombrowski last July and then traded by Dombrowski this July. The left-hander is expected to be the most coveted free agent on the market and his stock is further rising due to his masterful performance this season. Price, 30, is 14-5 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 196 strikeouts in 28 starts (196 1/3 innings).
That'd be a good addition to Boston's starting rotation, which ranks 25th in the MLB in ERA (4.57). However, it won't be that easy.
"I'm not going anywhere because of a GM or because of a coach or because of anyone," Price told John Tomase of WEEI.com. "No. It changes nothing."
Additionally, Price has been outspoken about his short time in Toronto and how great, energetic and supportive the city is. Other rumors have been circulating in regards to his future there, especially if new team president Mark Shapiro can get the OK from ownership to offer Price the mammoth contract the left-hander is expected to command.
However, Price is expected to have many other attractive suitors once he hits free agency, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and others.
Price also spoke to Tomase earlier in the season when the Tigers visited the Red Sox for a series at Fenway Park. Again, he was asked about his impending free agency.
"I won't rule out anybody," Price said. "If you can prove to me that you want me for the player that I am and the person that I am, I've got to respect that.
"If you have a formula to win and can do it over a sustained period of time, who doesn't want to win? That's why you play the game. It's not about the money. It's about being able to win now and in the years in the future. That's what I want to do. I want to be a part of something special. That's what I'm looking for."
Price will likely visit the Red Sox in the offseason and Dombrowski could perhaps convince the left-hander there is a new formula in place to guide the Red Sox back to the postseason. Dombrowski will have to do a lot of persuading, however, because Boston is just 137-164 since winning the 2013 World Series.
