MLB free agency kicks off at 12:00 a.m. ET on Saturday and there will be teams lining up around the block for David Price. Various rumors have linked the left-hander to a number of destinations, but we've narrowed it down to three.
Price is a frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award after going 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA (career-best), 1.08 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 32 starts (220 1/3 innings). He's expected to command a $200 million contract, so here are the clubs we expect to throw that type of money at him.
Here's a hint: all of the following teams have connections to him to some extent.
3. Boston Red Sox
Although I don't think this is very likely, it's hard to keep the Red Sox off this list because of the presence of Dave Dombrowski in Boston's front office. Dombrowski acquired Price in 2014 when he was GM of the Detroit Tigers.
Additionally, the Red Sox are not afraid to strike big free agent deals and Price fits exactly what they're in need of - an ace in the starting rotation.
However, rumors indicate Dombrowski is more likely to acquire the pitcher they need in a trade because the Red Sox possess plenty of assets at both the MLB level and in the minor leagues. While that seems to be a probable strategy, there's a chance it may not work out. In that scenario, the Red Sox would undoubtedly have to scour the free agent market for what they need.
Price will be out there for a little while as he fields offers from a number of teams. The Red Sox will probably have plenty of time to meet with Price if their trade plans fall through. Remember, Jon Lester didn't sign until December last year.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
There's not much to talk about here. The Dodgers have the money, they could be losing Zack Greinke, and Price played for the Tampa Bay Rays when Andrew Friedman was their president of baseball operations.
Their rotation beyond Clayton Kershaw and Greinke was not entirely effective this season, as Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu were lost for the season due to injuries. Ryu is expected back at the beginning of 2016, but McCarthy will miss at least half of the year as he recovers from Tommy John.
Los Angeles also has Alex Wood and Mike Bolsinger, but it's unknown how consistent they'll be next season. There's a chance they lose Brett Anderson to free agency, too.
Price would likely consider this a good destination, but there are other clubs that can put him in better position to win a World Series.
Most notably...
1. Chicago Cubs
And the final link: manager Joe Maddon. Price played under Maddon for seven seasons in Tampa and the longtime manager just took one of the MLB's youngest teams to the NLCS. The Cubs' future is perhaps the brightest of all and it's hard to believe Price isn't weighing that as the best possible option to sign there.
Chicago will have the finances to land Price. They're projected to have a $116 million payroll after they settle arbitration salaries with a number of their players, and, as we noted earlier, ESPN's Buster Olney and FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal are told the Cubs are the top suitor right now.
It's long been rumored the Cubs would make a run at Price, as their main goal is to add starting pitching since the rest of the roster consists of club-controlled position players. They already spent $155 on Jon Lester and are hoping to get Jake Arrieta to sign a long-term contract.
Price could be the finishing touches on that three-headed monster when all is said and done.
