David Price: Top five potential fits in free agency

Oct 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David Price (14) smiles in the dugout during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

David Price enters the offseason as one of the most coveted free agents on the market. Coming off a Cy Young-worthy season, the 30-year-old a resume that includes seven All-Star appearances, a Cy Young Award, four seasons in which he picked up Cy Young votes (and likely soon to be five), a career 3.09 ERA in 218 appearances (213 starts), and a solid career strikeout rate of 8.6 K/9.

Price seems likely to land a six- or seven-year deal that surpasses $200-million, the only question is where. He finished 2015 with an 18-5 record, an American League-leading 2.45 ERA and his fifth All-Star appearance in six seasons. Despite folding in the playoffs, Price was attributed with helping right the ship in the Toronto starting rotation, and playing a key role in helping the Blue Jays finish the season on an absolute tear.

The secret is out when it comes to pitching, as contenders like the Royals, Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Giants and others have all had success thanks to their deep starting rotations. The model is being copied across baseball, which only further opens the market for Price. With that being said, let’s look at the top five suitors for the Cy Young candidate.

Next: Number 5: New York Yankees

Apr 6, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees line the field during the National Anthem before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

5. New York Yankees

The Yankees have a roster full of aging position players that tend to produce a mixed bag of results. It’s been mentioned many times that New York will try to add another big name to their rotation behind Masahiro Tanaka, and Price certainly seems to fit the bill. He’s had success in the American League East as a member of the Rays and Blue Jays, and his good-guy big personality would fit well in New York.

The Boston Glove’s Nick Cafardo reported back in September that the Yankees could make a strong push for Price, and it seems like Brian Cashman will be back to offering out new big checks this offseason after a relatively quiet winter (I reiterate “relatively) an offseason ago.

The Yankees boast a predominantly right-handed staff, and having a top left-hander to pair with Tanaka at the top of the rotation would instantly solidify New York as a contender in an American League East division that seems to be up for grabs in 2016. The Red Sox seem set to undergo major changes this offseason, Toronto is set to lose Price, Marco Estrada and Mark Buehrle, Baltimore is facing the potential departures of Chris Davis, Wei-Yin Chen and others, and the Rays are headed for an offseason of budget cuts. The East will still be competitive next year, but the Yankees have an opportunity by signing Price to jump the rest with so many opposing rosters in flux.

Next: Number 4: Boston Red Sox

Jun 6, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; A large flag covers the green monster for the pre-game national anthem prior to the game between the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Red Sox won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

4. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox pitching was abysmal in 2015. There’s no way around that, and new head shot-caller Dave Dombrowski will look to fix the rotation before next season rolls around. Johnny Cueto established a reputation as somewhat of a wild card after being traded to Kansas City this July, and Boston just hasn’t seemed to be connected to Zack Greinke or Jordan Zimmermann thus far. While things on both of those fronts could obviously change in an instant, things as they stand seem to leave Price atop Boston’s pitching wish list this winter.

As is the case with New York, Boston will find Price’s proven track record in the American League East appealing. If Dombrowski can move one or both of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval off the books, the Red Sox should have no trouble going toe-to-toe with top market teams for Price’s services, though those two contracts could also ultimately be what allow other clubs to jump Boston in a potential contract package for Price.

The Red Sox need pitching, and they need it bad. Getting on the line with Price’s reps should be high on their to-do list in the coming weeks.

Next: Number 3: Houston Astros

Aug 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; A view of the field and open roof prior to the game between the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3. Houston Astros

For what it’s worth, Price’s dog is named Astro. So there’s that.

But in terms of legitimate baseball reasons, pairing Price with Dallas Keuchel would instantly give the Astros one of the top one-two punches in all of baseball. They have little in the way of major contract commitments, leaving plenty of cash in the bank to get in the mix for former Cy Young Award winner. Scott Kazmir is set to be a free agent this offseason, leaving a hole in the Houston rotation that Price could easily slide right into.

The Astros already stand to potentially be better in 2016 with full seasons from Carlos Gomez and George Springer in the outfield, and adding Price into the rotation could put them over the top in what will be an unpredictable American League West. The in-state rival Rangers stand to get Yu Darvish back for next season, and boast a powerful one-two of their own Darvish and Cole Hamels. Bolstering the rotation with a top arm like Price would give Houston the means to fend off Texas and the rest of the AL West as they look to make the postseason for a second straight year.

Next: Number 2: Los Angeles Dodgers

October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers fans in attendance cheer in the seventh inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Zack Greinke, who was as much a part of the Dodgers’ success in 2015 as any, is a free agent. While they seem to want him back, mid-market clubs like the Astros will be able to offer competitive contracts, a chance to win, and less media attention that will bode well with Greinke’s anxiety disorder. That being said, Price seems to be a prime target for Los Angeles if Greinke leaves for greener pastures.

Price has always loved the spotlight, and like New York and Boston, the Dodgers offer a big market in Los Angeles where Price can soak up commercials, endorsement deals and the celebrity lifestyle that comes with living in America’s entertainment capital. Los Angeles boasts the highest payroll in baseball as of 2015, and Price would likely be just one of multiple splashes the Dodgers would make as they look to improve on back-to-back Divisional Series losses in 2013 and 2014.

Price also has a connection in Los Angeles with former Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, and the Dodgers could strengthen their case if they were to hire Cubs bench coach (and former Rays bench coach) Dave Martinez as their next manager.

Next: Number 1: Chicago Cubs