In one of the most entertaining MLB trade windows leading up to the deadline, the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays closed the door with a deal that sent pitcher David Price to Detroit. The Seattle Mariners were also involved in the deal and acquired another outfielder.
Price will join a stacked Tigers rotation consisting of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, and Rick Procello, as they've now matched the Oakland Athletics after their acquisition of Jon Lester earlier today. According to sources, the trade involved the Seattle Mariners as well, who received Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson. The Mariners will send middle infielder Nick Franklin to the Rays and the Tigers will surrender Drew Smyly to Tampa as well.
Source: #Tigers get Price.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
mariners got austin jackson and send franklin to tampa. thats all of seattle's involvement.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 31, 2014
However, the Rays will not receive prospects from Detroit, even though it was reported that Tampa Bay sent scouts to keep an eye on the Tiger's farm system over the past few days. Rays GM Andrew Friedman likely wanted to get whatever he could for Price, who will now surely be participating in the playoffs this year. If the Athletics and Tigers were to face off in a postseason series, the league could see some of the best pitching matchups ever, with each team boasting complete rotations from top to bottom.
In other news, just before the deadline the New York Yankees acquired Stephen Drew from the Red Sox in exchange for Kelly Johnson. New York also received middle infielder Martin Prado from the Arizona Diamondbacks, but what Arizona got in returned hasn't yet been disclosed. The Red Sox also traded with another division rival, the Baltimore Orioles, sending reliever Andrew Miller in exchange for minor league pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez.
With a crazy conclusion to Thursday's deadline, the race leading up to the 2014 playoffs and beyond will be nothing short of electrifying.
