Should The Cubs Trade For David Price?

[CubsWin]

I keep coming back to whether the Cubs should trade for David Price this off season. The development of Baez and the addition of Bryant impacts this decision in that the Cubs could afford to put together a very attractive package for Price.

 

It appears Baez is looking too good to trade and Bryant can't be traded until next summer, so that leaves Castro, Almora and Soler as headliners to any package. Even with Castro's down year, he still has far and away the most value of that group.

 

One, should the Cubs give up on Starlin at age 23 in order to get a 28 year old ace? Does Price fit the timeline of the Cubs rebuild?

 

And two, how much do you think the Cubs would have to include to close the deal? Even though the Rays almost have to trade him due to financial concerns, the number of suitors for Price will give the Rays an excellent bargaining position so it will have to be a lot more than what they got for Shields or Garza.

[CubsWin]

The Rays do have him under control for two more seasons after this, so the time to trade him might come after the 2014 season, but if Tampa Bay feels their staff is strong enough to succeed without him (Odorizzi & Colome are close), they certainly would get more for him by trading him with two years of control left than just one. Members of Rays management have stated that they will not or are not likely to trade Price this off season, but why would they say otherwise.

 

For me, I'm confident that the 23-year-old Castro will continue to improve and at least return to the days when he was a 3.2 WAR player if not exceed it. This year he has been atrocious with a -0.5 WAR, and if offered in trade discussions, that will certainly be factored in. For his part, Price's WAR was 4.3 and 4.8 the last two seasons with a 2.6 so far this season.

 

Clearly more would have to be offered than just Starlin. Pierce Johnson would have to go and likely one other good pitching prospect (Vizcaino, Edwards, Maples?) and perhaps another high-end hitting prospect like Soler/Alcantara/Vogelbach. Add in a reclamation project like Vitters/B. Jackson/Olt? Is this enough? Too much? I'm really on the fence and would love to hear your responses.

[Guest]

I don't think his value is as high as the prospects it would take to get him.

[Guest]

The thought that leads someone to want to trade for Price isn't a bad one. The specific idea of trading for Price is a terrible one. Price has a reputation that exceeds his production, plays for a team known for overvaluing their players, has only 2 years of team control at near market prices, and is a pitcher with a lot of innings under his belt at a young age that started having injury problems this year.

 

EDIT: More to the point, the specific idea of trading Castro for Price makes me want to break something. If you're going to give up on Castro at least get someone who you have for more than two years or you can actually count on to be a 5 win star.

[KingCubsFan]

Price has made an interesting transformation to one of the best control pitchers in the game. He's basically a younger Cliff Lee at this point. But he doesn't seem like the type of guy that Theo would trade the farm for. If we're trading our top prospects, we're getting Giancarlo Stanton.

[Sammy Sofa]

Price has made an interesting transformation to one of the best control pitchers in the game. He's basically a younger Cliff Lee at this point. But he doesn't seem like the type of guy that Theo would trade the farm for. If we're trading our top prospects, we're getting Giancarlo Stanton.

 

Pretty much. The guys it would take to get Price I would much rather move for an impact bat, Stanton specifically.

[mul21]

Price has made an interesting transformation to one of the best control pitchers in the game. He's basically a younger Cliff Lee at this point. But he doesn't seem like the type of guy that Theo would trade the farm for. If we're trading our top prospects, we're getting Giancarlo Stanton.

 

Pretty much. The guys it would take to get Price I would much rather move for an impact bat, Stanton specifically.

 

Normally I'd completely agree with this, but with the guys in the pipeline projected to have plenty of power/offense and the system sorely lacking any impact/power arms in the upper minors, it makes me reconsider. Now, is Price the right guy? That I'm not sold on for the reasons TT mentions, but I'm much more inclined to trade assets for TOR pitching at this point than a bat, despite the top 4 minor leaguers being no guarantees.

Edited August 22, 2013 by mul21

[Tryptamine]

I have no interest in double paying for Price. Trading prospects sure, giving him a big contract sure, but both together? No thanks. Unless the desired package is a lot smaller then I think then I don't have a lot of interest. If you're going after Tampa then go after Matt Moore instead.

[Sammy Sofa]

Price has made an interesting transformation to one of the best control pitchers in the game. He's basically a younger Cliff Lee at this point. But he doesn't seem like the type of guy that Theo would trade the farm for. If we're trading our top prospects, we're getting Giancarlo Stanton.

 

Pretty much. The guys it would take to get Price I would much rather move for an impact bat, Stanton specifically.

 

Normally I'd completely agree with this, but with the guys in the pipeline projected to have plenty of power/offense and the system sorely lacking any impact/power arms in the upper minors, it makes me reconsider. Now, is Price the right guy? That I'm not sold on for the reasons TT mentions, but I'm much more inclined to trade assets for TOR pitching at this point than a bat, despite the top 4 minor leaguers being no guarantees.

 

I'd be fine with trading for a pitcher, but not one as overrated as Price with relatively little team control.

[sneakypower]

a late-20s top of the rotation lefty? how could we ever acquire one of those without trading all our best young players?

 

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ac1394dbdcca6a36cbf486633b129cd813095ac3/r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/07/29/1375151598000-USP-MLB-St-Louis-Cardinals-at-Pittsburgh-Pirates-liriano-1307292234_4_3.jpg

 

 

oh, yeah

[Guest]

a late-20s top of the rotation lefty? how could we ever acquire one of those without trading all our best young players?

 

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ac1394dbdcca6a36cbf486633b129cd813095ac3/r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/07/29/1375151598000-USP-MLB-St-Louis-Cardinals-at-Pittsburgh-Pirates-liriano-1307292234_4_3.jpg

 

 

oh, yeah

 

I wonder what kind of money he'll get.

[Vinestal]

I like Price and all, but I'd rather keep the guys it would take to acquire him.

[CubsWin]

This is helpful. Thanks.

 

(No sarcasm.)

[SouthSideRyan]

a late-20s top of the rotation lefty? how could we ever acquire one of those without trading all our best young players?

 

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ac1394dbdcca6a36cbf486633b129cd813095ac3/r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/07/29/1375151598000-USP-MLB-St-Louis-Cardinals-at-Pittsburgh-Pirates-liriano-1307292234_4_3.jpg

 

 

oh, yeah

 

I wonder what kind of money he'll get.

 

In 2014-2015 when he's a free agent?

 

Man his agent needs to be so fired.

[Guest]

a late-20s top of the rotation lefty? how could we ever acquire one of those without trading all our best young players?

 

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ac1394dbdcca6a36cbf486633b129cd813095ac3/r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/07/29/1375151598000-USP-MLB-St-Louis-Cardinals-at-Pittsburgh-Pirates-liriano-1307292234_4_3.jpg

 

 

oh, yeah

 

I wonder what kind of money he'll get.

 

In 2014-2015 when he's a free agent?

 

Man his agent needs to be so fired.

 

Damn. Could've sworn he sign a one year.

[Warpticon]

I think the per-post character limit is too low for the number of hell nos I would need to type.

[The-Kris-Bryant]

I'd definitely trade Castro for Price straight up, but I'm not sure the Rays would.

 

Price has made an interesting transformation to one of the best control pitchers in the game. He's basically a younger Cliff Lee at this point. But he doesn't seem like the type of guy that Theo would trade the farm for. If we're trading our top prospects, we're getting Giancarlo Stanton.

 

 

He's still throwing averaging 93.5 MPH and tied with Holland as the major's hardest throwing lefty starter that's qualified. Of course he his control has gone through the roof this year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we can get him without giving up any of our top 4 prospects for him, absolutely. Not saying it's likely, but who knows. Truth is that in the event that Castro and Rizzo don't come back, and we probably shouldn't pen Olt into our future plans, we may be relying on them to anchor our offense. And I am aware that it's very unlikely that they all pan out.

[imb]

i would trade castro for vincent price at this point

[Sammy Sofa]

If we can get him without giving up any of our top 4 prospects for him, absolutely. Not saying it's likely, but who knows. Truth is that in the event that Castro and Rizzo don't come back, and we probably shouldn't pen Olt into our future plans, we may be relying on them to anchor our offense. And I am aware that it's very unlikely that they all pan out.

 

This is, like, your 8th post in 48 hours mentioning Olt. Why?

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we can get him without giving up any of our top 4 prospects for him, absolutely. Not saying it's likely, but who knows. Truth is that in the event that Castro and Rizzo don't come back, and we probably shouldn't pen Olt into our future plans, we may be relying on them to anchor our offense. And I am aware that it's very unlikely that they all pan out.

 

This is, like, your 8th post in 48 hours mentioning Olt. Why?

 

I don't know. But he did go 2-4 yesterday with a 2B and HR. So Mike Olt, Mike Olt, Mike Olt.

 

But in all seriousness, unlike the rest of the cord prospects, he's not a guy that we entered the season counting on for the future, but if we're to figure things out, he's be some incredibly savory gravy, so watching him become a reverse Bryan LaHair has been frustrating.

[dcvalpo]

If we can get him without giving up any of our top 4 prospects for him, absolutely. Not saying it's likely, but who knows. Truth is that in the event that Castro and Rizzo don't come back, and we probably shouldn't pen Olt into our future plans, we may be relying on them to anchor our offense. And I am aware that it's very unlikely that they all pan out.

 

This is, like, your 8th post in 48 hours mentioning Olt. Why?

 

I don't know. But he did go 2-4 yesterday with a 2B and HR. So Mike Olt, Mike Olt, Mike Olt.

 

But in all seriousness, unlike the rest of the cord prospects, he's not a guy that we entered the season counting on for the future, but if we're to figure things out, he's be some incredibly savory gravy, so watching him become a reverse Bryan LaHair has been frustrating.

4-4

[RynoRules]

i would trade castro for vincent price at this point

 

Would be funny if it weren't true. We all seem to think its definite that Castro's horrendous season is an aberration.

[Sammy Sofa]

Not so much knowing as it is hoping and praying.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Somewhat relevant update: Per a tweet this morning (Monday, October 7), Joel Sherman is "hearing" that various MLB executives expect the Rays to shop Price this winter --

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/07/has-david-price-pitched-his-last-game-for-the-rays/

 

Here is the relevant tweet:

 

Joel Sherman

@Joelsherman1

 

Garza after '11, Shields after '12 were dealt 2 yrs from fr agcy, execs in sport expect same now for Price #Rays