Dave Dombrowski has not decided if the Tigers will be buyers and sellers before the deadline. And multiple reports Wednesday pointed to Dombrowski making a decision by Sunday on which direction he will take the organization. According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs have already reached out to the Tigers about David Price.
Levine reported late Wednesday that multiple sources told him as soon as Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer found out he could be available the Cubs “were among the first to inquire about Price.”
If the Tigers decide to be sellers, David Price figures to move to the top of the list of the available starting pitchers. Levine pointed to at least eight teams would be interested in Price but according to the report, “the Cubs system, flush with blue chip prospects, may be the best match for the Tigers.”
The Cubs have not made any of the young, impact talent on the Major League roster available. In other words, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber are unavailable. It is believed that the front office would move any of the talent from the minor league system in the right deal.
David Price is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The Cubs reportedly have Price just above RHP Jordan Zimmermann on the list of free agent starting pitchers the team will pursue in the off-season.
Price has not avoided the question in the past when asked about pitching for the Cubs. Price has talked about how special it would be to win a Championship with the Cubs.
Based on Price’s relationship with Joe Maddon, the front office may think if the Cubs can add Price to the rotation this year it would give the front office a head start on signing him to a long-term contract. Price could be looking at a five- to six-year deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $25 million.
David Price turns 30 in August and is in the middle of one the best seasons of his career. Price is 9-3 in 19 starts with a 2.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 2.78 FIP. Price has allowed 43 runs, 34 earned, on 121 hits with 26 walks and 127 strikeouts in 132 innings. During his seven years with Joe Maddon in Tampa, Price was 82-47 in 175 games, 170 starts, with a 3.18 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 3.33 FIP.
David Price is one of the handful of true Aces in the game.
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs and Tigers “are scouting each other’s systems in the event a swap can be agreed to.”
• Full Report from Bruce Levine