Stop with the David Price trade rumors. Jon Morosi, Jim Bowden, Jon Heyman, Chris Coltillo step away from your keyboards. No more Tweets about the availability and potential destinations for the Rays resident ace.
I love the guys at MLBTradeRumors.com, but it is time to stop. David Price isn’t going anywhere, at least he shouldn’t be.
He has pitched his team back into the playoff chase and deserves to finish 2014 with the Rays.
Price himself seemed resigned to the inevitably of changing teams.
After a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 25th, a game many thought would be his with the Rays, Price said, “Thank you, “These fans are awesome. They love us. They support us very well. If this is my last game here, thanks.”
Now just three games under .500, the Rays are back in the race and Price has led the charge. It almost like he said, oh heck no, not on my watch.
After beating the Boston Red Sox, Price who struck out 10 in eight innings, won sixth straight start, pitching to a sparkling 1.31 ERA (48-IP, 7-ER) and is 5-0, July.
It’s rare to see a starting pitcher carry a team on his back.
That kind of heavy lifting is generally reserved for the home run hitters on a hot streak, but Price has been the guy for Tampa Bay.
There is not even a reasonable argument that proves otherwise.
He has made the bullpen better, giving them much needed rest.
The southpaw has now gone at least eight innings in eight out of his last nine starts.
Chris Archer, Alex Cobb, and Jake Odorizzi are better pitchers with him around.
Rays GM Andrew Freidman has a big decision to make in the next six days. He will be offered trade packages that will be blockbusters, loaded with prospects and controllable young stars.
It will be tempting, but David Price deserves to be with Tampa Bay on August 1st.
