Dodgers: A Reminder that David Price Really is a Big Offseason Acquisition
Last week when David Price posted a clip of him throwing with intent at his home, it sparked a reminder for some. The Dodgers also got David Price in that Mookie Betts trade. After sitting out the 2020 season amid covid concerns, the former AL Cy Young award winner sent a signal to the league that he is back.
Or at least that’s the plan.
Notably, the left-hander mentioned that he was impressed with the way baseball handled the pandemic season in 2020, alluding to a level of comfort that could or should lead to his return this coming season. And with that, as fans brave a slow offseason hot stove, is a reminder that, with Price set to join the rotation, he can be looked at as a big winter upgrade for the defending world champion Dodgers.
Moreover, that was a topic of discussion on a recent episode of SportsNet LA’s “Access Dodgers” show. The panel of analyst Jerry Hairston, OC Register beat writer Bill Plunkett, and anchor John Hartung talked about the addition of Price for 2021.
“He’s another ace,” said Hairston. “He’ll be our third starter behind Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler and he is our third ace. He is a big time pitcher. He’s won a World Series. And he’s well-rested — and another guy that you’re going to bring into the clubhouse and he’s gonna be motivated because, you know what, ‘these guys won a World Series without me. I want to make sure I show my value and my worth and I do not want to be that weak link.’ So I believe we’re going to get the best out of David Price.”
Related: David Price Expects to Pitch in 2021
Last week Price said that his plan is to “be there for spring training,” which is less than a month away. While the Dodgers are reportedly still kicking the tires on free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer, coming out of the offseason adding Price to a rotation that posted the best starters ERA in the National League in 2020 isn’t a bad consolation prize.
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I love that Price is expected to be in spring training this year. Fully healthy and rested he should come back with Cy Young numbers. You throw him in with a maturing Urias ( who pitched great all season last year) and Aces Kershaw (also healthy & rested) and Buehler (also healthy & rested) that is definitely with no doubt the best 1 – 4 pitchers in baseball. Which then makes our 5 spot a battle of young talent such as Gosselin, May and Gray. Bottom line, we could beat our win total from 2019 with that staff and our bats ( please sign Turner, what a boost that would be for the team and fans ) .
One last thing if anyone is listening. We already has our next star closer on the team, his name is MAY !!! He’s wicked.
I hope all the optimism on Price is well founded. Is there a reason no one is publishing his career star history including his last two years of pitching? Signing Bauer only costs a draft choice and not a slew of prospects for a trade. If the loss of a nr one draft pick is considered too pricey then a trade of a hot prospect in a otherwise overloaded position can compensate. I just do not feel comfortable in putting too much faith in Price as an effective consistent winner. Let’s see his recent number, consider his age and see in spring training if the one year layoff hurt or helped. But Bauer is a current proven asset providing he is not looking for a long range salary buster. My thoughts
Price is a wild card. Maybe he will play. Maybe he won’t. If he does play, maybe he will pitch well. Maybe he won’t. His 4.28 ERA in 2019 wasn’t exactly impressive. The Sox dumped him, even paying half of his remaining salary for a reason. I’m certainly not going to call him our third ace. I must be from Missouri. You have to show me. If Price plays at all, he will probably be babied into starts at first, and then slow played at the end of the season, to preserve whatever he has left. We’ll see.
I am sure after being off for a year and a half, he will have aches and pains that will render him a useful anchor in the well of the spendy bank account of Friedman, while he won’t resign the two guys that got him a trophy… Turner and Hernandez. Dumb if he does NOT re-sign these men to BLUE.
in my opinion even if it doesnt matter. i really hope julio urias gets a starting role he deservs it. he chose to play during the pandemic year. while mr.price selected not to.its only fair. julio prove hes the man. let david price come off the bullpen . you say hes proven because hes won a world series well so has julio. and david selected not to support his teamates on the field where it matters.
I agree. Urias has earned the 3 starter spot. He will need to continue to pitch well to keep it though. Urias should forget the wind-up, and throw all of his pitches from the the stretch. That move with Pryor really worked. I also think Price should have to earn the 4 or 5 spot vs May and Gonsolin. There should be no gifts. Urias, May and Gonsolin all proved themselves last year. Price needs to do the same.
Figuratively that “David Price Really is a Big Offseason Acquisition” OR Literally??
Will we pay the “Price” of pitching this guy who will have to shake off the rust of a 4+ era from 2 years ago? We may have won the World Series “because” he didn’t pitch in 2020! I would say where was he when we needed him last year … but we obviously didn’t!