Los Angeles Dodgers: David Price could be bullpen option
The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves with an interesting dilemma. While other teams may struggle to have enough pitching depth, the Dodgers actually have too many major league arms for their rotation. With the signing of Trevor Bauer, and the return of David Price, Los Angeles needs to find a role for the likes of Dustin May, Julio Urias, and Tony Gonsolin.
Price may have a solution. He has stated that he is willing to move around as needed to ensure that trio receives enough innings this year.
After the Dodgers signed Trevor Bauer, David Price said he reached out to Andrew Friedman and said he's willing to do whatever is needed in order to make sure Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias pitch enough innings
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) March 8, 2021
David Price – Los Angeles Dodgers fireman?
As strange as it may seem, Price could be an option in the bullpen. Joe Kelly is dealing with shoulder soreness and is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. There are questions in the back end of the Dodgers’ bullpen, as Kenley Jansen is not the shutdown closer he has been in the past. Los Angeles could use a reinforcement or two in the later innings.
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Price also has some experience as a reliever. He worked out of the bullpen for the Rays in September in 2008 during their World Series run, and did so again for the Red Sox in 2017. In that latter year, Price was returning from injury, having missed the month of August due to elbow inflammation. This was after he missed the first two months of the year due to elbow soreness.
This year, Price finds himself in a different situation. He had sat out the entire 2020 season, making him a major question mark for the upcoming year. The Dodgers may have to manage his innings as well, especially in the early going as he shakes off what is essentially a year and a half worth of rust.
Thus far, the bullpen role seems to be suiting Price just fine. He made his debut against the White Sox, pitching an inning in that outing. His fastball was at 94 MPH, an improvement from where he had been in 2019. He is making far more than the Dodgers may want to pay for a reliever, but all that matters is repeating as World Series champions. If that involves having Price come out of the bullpen, at least for a portion of the year, that is something the team will make happen.
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David Price is willing to do whatever the Los Angeles Dodgers need to get their trio of young arms enough work. A trip to the bullpen may be in order.