Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price is well aware of his name being floated around in trade rumors this winter, but the left-hander and 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner doesn't know much more about his future and said it's up to the Rays to decide whether or not to deal him, and he is simply awaiting his fate this offseason.
Price, who was drafted No.1 overall in 2007 by the Rays, is planning on attending spring training with the team but knows he could be dealt somewhere else by the time spring training rolls around.
"There is still a little bit more offseason left," Price told the Daily News Journal. "I'm sure things will pick up more once [Japanese ace Masahiro] Tanaka signs."
While it remains to be seen what will happen, Price is focused on being a Ray for the moment.
"My mindset is that I'm going to be a Ray next year," he told the affiliate. "We're heading back down to Tampa next week so I can be in that environment again. It's good to get out of this weather and get into nice weather and be able to throw outside."
Price, 28, earned $10 million in 2013 with the Rays and is under contract until 2015. His name has popped up in trade rumors since the Rays would likely get a bigger return by dealing him this offseason and giving his new team two full seasons of control over the pitcher. If Tampa Bay were to wait and trade him next offseason, the team would likely not yield as great of a return.
Price, who missed time with an injury, went 10-8 through 27 appearances last season with a 3.33 ERA one year after winning the Cy Young by going 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA. Price had four complete games in 2013.
Price takes up a good chunk of the Rays payroll, and though he's been a big part of the team making the playoffs four out of the last six years, he may be dealt so the team can save some money.
"It's out of my control," Price said via DNJ. "There is no need for me to put too much thought to it day in and day out. It's out of my hands. I have no say in it. I'm sitting back and preparing to play baseball. No matter where I am, in Tampa or somewhere else, it's still the game I've always played."
Price has played his entire six-year career with the Rays, posting a 71-39 record with a 3.19 ERA and 876 strikeouts.
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