There were a lot of questions about whether the Rays would deal David Price today. Joel Sherman reports that they’ve decided to deal Price before the deadline.
Been told #Rays are definitely moving Price
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2014
Ken Rosenthal says that the Dodgers have been in talks for Price, and that top prospect Joc Pederson is in play. He also says that the Pirates had been discussing him as of this morning.
Sources: #Dodgers have been in talks with #Rays on Price, with Pederson in play. #Pirates also had been discussing him as of this AM.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
With the returns for Jon Lester (Yoenis Cespedes and a comp pick, with Jonny Gomes going to Oakland along with Lester) and John Lackey (Allen Craig and Joe Kelly), it would make sense for the Rays to take advantage of this market and deal Price.
UPDATE 2:06 PM: Jon Heyman says the Pirates have been talking to the Rays about Price.
#pirates are talking to tampa bay about price. dodgers, mariners have been interested. never count out tigers tho.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 2:11 PM: Jerry Crasnick, who has been saying that the Dodgers don’t want to deal their top prospects for Price, repeats those thoughts.
Still dubious Price will wind up with #Dodgers. Balking at moving Pederson, Seager or Urias. So how does it get done?
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2014
Peter Gammons also says the Dodgers aren’t back in on Price.
Dodgers reiterated they're not back in on David Price
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 2:13 PM: Rob Biertempfel says the Pirates are in on Price, and the Tigers are pushing hard too.
Multiple sources tell me #Pirates are in on Price. #Tigers among those pushing hard for him, too.
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 2:29 PM: Jayson Stark says the Rays are close to trading Price.
#Rays "close" to trading Price, sources say. Destination still unclear.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 3:17 PM: Bob Nightengale says that the Tigers, Mariners, and Pirates are the front-runners for Price.
The #Tigers, #Mariners and #Pirates are the three front-runners for #Rays ace David Price, while #Yankees have dabbled in talks.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2014
He says the Yankees could be involved, but Ken Rosenthal says there’s no chance that happens.
Hearing “no chance” #Yankees get Price.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 3:19 PM: Rosenthal says the Pirates are working on a deal, but it’s unclear if it’s a Price deal.
#Pirates also working on deal. Unclear if it’s for #Rays’ Price.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 3:32 PM: Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times hears that Price could be in a three-team deal.
Hearing #Rays trade involving Price is a three-team deal
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2014
He guesses that it could be the Mariners and Tigers as the other teams.
Best guess at this point would be #Rays with #Mariners and #Tigers. Not clear who goes where.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 3:36 PM: Rosenthal says that left-handed reliever Enny Romero is in play in the Rays’ trade talks.
Source: LHP Enny Romero in play in #Rays’ trade talks.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
The Pirates have been active in looking for a left-handed reliever.
UPDATE 3:42 PM: Topkin says he hears Price is the only player going in the three-team deal.
Hearing Price is only #Rays player going in the 3-team deal. Still guessing #Tigers and #Mariners.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 3:48 PM: Rosenthal says the Tigers are getting Price.
Source: #Tigers get Price.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
UPDATE 3:53 PM: Jon Heyman says it’s a three way deal involving the Mariners.
price goes to tigers in 3-way with seattle and tb
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2014
He also says Austin Jackson and Drew Smyly went in the deal.
austin jackson and drew smyly in price deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2014
That’s a lot of MLB player for MLB player trades today, rather than the usual prospect for MLB player deals.
UPDATE 3:56 PM: Bob Dutton says Jackson is going to the Mariners, and Nick Franklin is going to the Rays.
#Mariners getting Austin Jackson from Tigers. Sending Nick Franklin to Rays.
— Bob Dutton (@ByBobDutton) July 31, 2014
That makes more sense for the Rays.
UPDATE 3:59 PM: Heyman says Smyly is going to the Rays.
smyly goes to tampa (spelling)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2014
I’ll take a look at the Rays return on this when it’s all settled, and do the usual “what would this have cost the Pirates.” However, the three team deal complicates things.