Hot-Stove Helper: David Price stays in AL East, heads to Boston
It would have been fantasy fun to see David Price on an National League roster, up against flailing pitchers and regular bunting. Instead, he’s staying in the American League East, where the hitters swing for the fences and the ballparks often accommodate them.
Not that environment matters all that much to an ace like Price. He’s likely to dominate anywhere.
The Red Sox had “staff ace” at the top of their offseason shopping list and they came through in that area Tuesday, agreeing with Price on a seven-year deal, pending a physical. Price can make $217 million through the balance of the contract, though there’s also an opt-out clause for Price to consider after the 2018 season. It stands as the richest pitcher contract in MLB history.
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It’s an aggressive check for a pitcher who turned 30 back in August, though Price has been durable through his career. He’s logged five 200-inning seasons and made 212 starts over the last seven years. Maybe the deal will look like an albatross in the later stages, but the Red Sox are just worried about the next few seasons in front of them.
We fantasy owners, we take things one year at a time. Price was the No. 6 pitcher in 5×5 value last year, and the No. 9 arm in 2013. He’s proven he can handle the AL East, pitching most of his career in Tampa Bay before brief stops in Detroit and Toronto. If you care about his Fenway Park career (it’s all of 11 starts), you’ll find encouraging numbers: 1.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP.
You’d like a 2016 projection to get your Price business started, and here’s my best guess: 17 wins, 2.89 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 219 strikeouts. I generally prefer to take NL pitchers for my staff anchors, but Price is one of the few arms who is worth a breaking of the rules. He’ll be in my Top 10 at the position to open the year, perhaps in the Top 5.
