David Price Agrees to 7-Year Contract with Red Sox

Timothy RappOct 26, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price entered free agency as one of the most prized targets on the market this winter and reportedly has agreed to a deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Continue for updates.

Red Sox Reportedly Agree to Contract with Price

Tuesday, Dec. 1

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reported the deal is for seven years, $217 million. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed the deal and said the contract includes no deferred money and a three-year opt-out clause.

On Nov. 29, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported the Red Sox were the favorites to land him.

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The Red Sox are prohibitive favorites, at least in the eyes of the media and a few baseball executives, to land free agent David Price for two reasons: president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski’s relationship with the left-hander, whom he acquired and then dealt over the last two trade deadlines, and Boston’s desperate need for an ace after two consecutive last-place finishes and three in the last four years.
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On Nov. 25, ESPN's Buster Olney reported, "There's a high expectation among execs involved in [Price] bidding that Boston will generate the highest offer." However, Olney added that much like Jon Lester a year ago, it will depend on where Price wants to play, noting Lester turned down a more lucrative offer from the San Francisco Giants to sign with the Chicago Cubs.

Multiple Teams Expressed Interest

Sunday, Nov. 29

Rosenthal reported on Nov. 25 the Cubs, Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers were also major players for Price. However, Cafardo added that "other teams on the periphery could become engaged, such as the Nationals, Angels, Rangers and Astros."

Rosenthal reported the Toronto Blue Jays were not expected to be a big factor, but Cafardo noted the Blue Jays would "likely" be included in the teams making a run for Price's services.

Yankees Didn't Pursue Price

Sunday, Nov. 29

"The Yankees traditionally would be in on something like this, but they seem to be out of the business of long-term deals for the time being," reported Cafardo.

Dodgers Targeted Price as Backup Plan to Greinke

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported on Los Angeles' interest in Price, adding he would be a "natural second choice" to re-signing Zack Greinke in free agency.

Blue Jays Were Interested in Re-Signing Price

Monday, Oct. 26

"We have strong interest in Price coming back here," former Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters. "We will be in the game."

Price Comments on Returning to Toronto

Monday, Oct. 26

Price, when asked if he would be back with the Blue Jays after the team was eliminated in the American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals, simply said, “I don’t know yet,” though he did say he would "absolutely" consider re-signing, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.

Price Commands Top Dollar on Free-Agent Market

He didn't come cheap. Prior to the signing, Cafardo spoke to eight anonymous managers, scouts and general managers, who all agreed that Price would be the top pitcher on the market and should garner a deal in the range of seven years and $210 million. At the time, they speculated that the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Cardinals and Cubs were all logical destinations for the pitcher.

Price, 30, was once again one of the top pitchers in baseball in 2015, finishing 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 220.1 innings pitched in stints with the Detroit Tigers and Blue Jays.

While his trend of postseason struggles continued—he went 1-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched for the Blue Jays in this year's playoffs—he's a true ace and one of the game's finest left-handed pitchers, making him a rare commodity.