David Price is set to receive a significant increase in salary for 2013
The Tampa Bay Rays reached an agreement with 2012 American League Cy Young winner David Price on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.
The deal will pay Price $10.1 million in 2013.
Price made $4.35 million last season and was eligible for arbitration for the first time.
Price has made it known that his first choice would be to stay with Tampa Bay, however that may prove to be difficult for the fiscally conservative Rays.
Price’s agent Bo McKinnis has said “he wants to have the best contract in baseball, however that may be defined. He expects to be the best in everything that he does. So hopefully we’re able to make that marriage between the Rays and that best contract. But we also recognize the economics of the game may not allow that.”
The Rays recently signed All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria to a contract extension worth $100 million, making it increasingly difficult to sign Price to a long-term deal.
Price is expected to command in excess of $20-25 million per year in the open market.
Price a three-time All-Star , has a career record of 61-31 with a 3.16 ERA.
Price is coming off this spectacular 2012 when he went 20-5 with a league-leading 2.56 ERA.
