Amid Trade Rumors, Tigers' David Price Says: 'I Want To Win Here'
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) -- In 2014, the Tampa Bay Rays elected to be sellers at the MLB non-waiver trade deadline, moving ace pitcher David Price to the Detroit Tigers. It appears the Tigers could follow suit this year, as the deadline approaches on July 31.
A report that surfaced late Monday night suggested the Tigers are willing to field offers for Price, along with outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Amid the trade talk, Price said he wants to win in Detroit just before Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners.
"I want to win here," Price said. "We have a very good team. This is hands down one of the most talented teams that I've ever been a part of. So if we can play baseball the way that we're capable of playing, we'll win games."
Playing on an expiring deal, Price said that talks about a contract extension with the Tigers have never been off the table, but that there are no ongoing negotiations that he knows about. He said that if anything was going on -- whether trade or contract talks -- team president Dave Dombrowski would be sure to make him aware.
"Dave is always in the clubhouse, he's always talking to me. So I'm sure if something was to happen -- whatever the scenario is -- I don't think I would be in the dark on that. He's a very open guy, I'm sure I could just go talk to him right now if I wanted to."
As far as being caught up in trade rumors for the second year in a row, Price says that's just part of the business of being a big league player.
"It's part of it," Price said. "If you have enough time in this league you're going to be a part of this at some point. You have to tune it out as best you can and just go about your business as normal."
The Tigers have really only seen success this season when Price starts. The team has a 15-4 record during Price's 19 starts in 2015 -- 31-42 when any other starter toes the mound.
Standing at 46-46, the Tigers remain 10 games behind the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central Division, which Detroit has won four consecutive seasons.
"I plan on the Tigers winning today and reeling off a couple wins, and all of this stuff can kind of quiet down a little bit," Price said.
