UPDATE at 12:36 p.m ET: Multiple reports say Blue Jays have acquired starting pitcher David Price from Tigers. More details here …
The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a trade for Detroit Tigers left-hander David Price, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Thursday.
However, with many teams interested in Price and the possibility for late shifts in trade talks, there’s still no guarantee a deal will be completed.
There’s an expectation that top Blue Jays prospects Daniel Norris and Anthony Alford would be part of the package heading to Detroit, should the deal be completed, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported.
Price, the top starter available on the trade market, is set to hit free agency following the 2015 season. A rival executive suggested to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Blue Jays may be close to completing a deal.
The 29-year-old has a 2.53 ERA with 138 strikeouts and 29 walks in 146 innings this season. He earns $19.75 million, of which approximately $6.6 million remains.
The Blue Jays are pursuing starting pitching in the hopes of bolstering their rotation before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline. Speaking in general terms Tuesday, Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos explained that he’d prefer to acquire controllable players when possible.
“Ideally you don’t shop in the rental market, that doesn’t mean we’ll rule it out, we’re open to it, but our preference is always to have guys under control that can be here for a while,” Anthopoulos said.
The Blue Jays are known for checking in on all available options.