When the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox last February, they suddenly added a former MVP and Cy Young Award winner.
Betts exceeded high expectations in his first season with the Dodgers, finishing second in the National League MVP vote and helping the organization end the drought in the World Series. The price did not fall after opting out due to concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The left-hander should be behind Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler in the starting rotation. Instead, his absence opened up more opportunities for Ross Stripling, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias.
While Price has announced he’ll be making his return to the hill this season, the Dodgers reportedly wouldn’t mind transferring his contract over Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic to another team to ensure they stay below the luxury tax threshold:
The Dodgers hitting the luxury tax threshold would certainly be open to price movement, and Law ranks their system as the third best of the majors.
The notion that the Dodgers would be ready to trade Price was drawn up under solutions for the Red Sox and their flexibility with payroll. They have since signed Kiké Hernandez and traded for Adam Ottavino.
The Dodgers are currently believed to have the highest payroll in baseball at just over $ 189 million next season. Since there is still a hole to fill at base three, that number won’t increase until before spring training, giving them little leeway to stay under the luxury tax.
One solution could be to get Price to earn $ 64 million over the next two seasons – exactly half of that will be paid for by the Red Sox. The 35-year-old is somewhat dispensable given the depth of the Dodgers at the starting pitcher, but postponing his contract numbers is a challenge as most teams try to clear salary during these troubled times.
Price shares video of the training
Price further hinted that he plans to pitch this season and show his Twitter followers a video of a recent workout.
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