David Price and Rays Avoid Arbitration

The Tampa Bay Rays have reached an agreement with ace David Price to avoid arbitration. The deal is for $14 million as reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times and represents a $4 million increase over last years salary. Price will be eligible for arbitration again in 2015 before  hitting the open market.

Price started 27 games in 2013 with a 3.33 ERA and 151/27 K/BB ratio in 187 innings to follow up his Cy Young winning 2012 campaign. He has been the subject of trade talk throughout the offseason.

While it appears he will begin 2014 with Tampa Bay, one need only to look at the mega-deal Clayton Kershaw signed yesterday with the Los Angeles Dodgers to gauge what the market is willing to pay for Cy Young winning ace left-handers to see what the future holds for Price in Tampa Bay.

Expect the trade rumors to continue and perhaps pick up even more after Japaansse free agent Masahiro Tanaka signs with an MLB team. Die-hard Rays fans continue to hope there is a way to keep Price in Tampa Bay.