MLB Trade Rumors 2014: David Price Could Be Dealt to Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, or St. Louis Cardinals
David Price is expected to be moved before the MLB trade deadline on July, and reports indicated that Tampa Bay Rays could deal the veteran pitcher to the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers or the St. Louis Cardinals.
ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the race to acquire Price before the deadline is now down the Mariners, Dodgers and the Cardinals, who all have the necessary assets to convince the Rays.
Among the three possible landing spots, the Mariners are considered as favorites to land the 28-year-old pitcher, who is 10-7 this season with 173 strikeouts and a 3.06 ERA.
However, the possible trade between Tampa Bay and Seattle depends on the Mariners' willingness to part ways with pitching prospect Taijuan Walker, who has been on the Rays' radar since the offseason.
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that the Rays are asking for Walker along with prospects James Paxton and D.J. Peterson in a deal that could also send star second baseman Ben Zobrist to Seattle.
Acquiring Price and Zobrist, who is hitting .264 with seven homeruns and 27 RBIs this season, would improved the Mariners' chances of making a deep post-season run this year.
However, it is still unknown at this point whether or not they are ready to change their stance on trading Walker after turning down the Rays' proposed deal in the offseason.
Another factor that could prevent the Rays-Mariners trade is Price's willingness to sign a long-term deal with Seattle.
Price, who could become a free agent after the current season, has not talked about his preference, but his agent, Bo McKinnis, said in the offseason that his client won't sign an extension with the Mariners.
On the other hand, the Cardinals are also in a good position to acquire Price. St. Louis have the assets, including top prospects, but the Rays are expected to demand for costly assets in the deal, especially now that the Cardinals are also eyeing Evan Longoria.
The Dodgers are still in the running because they have the money to convince Price to sign a long-term deal -- equal to or within the 1- year, $200 million Price could ask when he hits free agency after the season.
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