Red Sox Reportedly Shopping David Price With Multiple Teams Interested
By Mark Powell
The MLB Hot Stove is scorching at the Winter Meetings, and the Boston Red Sox are very involved, per usual.
While most thought the Sox would try and deal Mookie Betts, they're reportedly seeking other ways to clear payroll, including potentially trading former high-priced free agent signing David Price.
David Price Contract
The Boston Red Sox continue to pursue ways to shed salary, and multiple teams have targeted starter David Price, sources tell ESPN. He is owed $96 million over the next three years. Red Sox could either attach player with value or potentially pay down some of Price's remaining $.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2019
Trading Price will be easier said than done due to the remaining money and years attached to his deal, which the hurler signed when he was 30.
Price won't hit free agency until 2022, when he's 37 years old. His contract structure pays him $32 million in each of the next three seasons.
David Price pitched for Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay…
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 11, 2019
Would make a lot of sense for the Angels if they’re willing to eat some of the money. https://t.co/9KxEV61s44
If the Red Sox want to get Price off their books, they're going to have to add in an intriguing young prospect to get the job done. Look no further than the Angels trade of Zack Cozart, in which they had to offload 2019 first-round pick Will Wilson for the Giants to take on $13 million of Cozart's deal. Moving large contracts is no easy task in today's luxury tax system.
Still, Price has enough left in the tank, and the end of his contract is within sight, so should Boston have motivation to trade him, a move could come soon.