Multiple MLB executives believe the trade market for Rays ace David Price is beginning to heat up with the Mariners looking like the current front runners, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
Passan also cites the Dodgers, Rangers, Pirates, Angels and Blue Jays as suitors who also have the ability to land the 28-year-old lefty , but his sources see Seattle as the team most likely to get a deal done. The Mariners could potentially send Taijuan Walker to the Rays as the key part of package for Price, Passan reports, with an another young position player like Nick Franklin or Brad Miller sweetening the deal.
Passan also reports that while the Rays are not looking to fill any specific need in dealing Price, his sources expect them to get a young, nearly MLB-ready pitching prospect in the deal. Along with Walker, Pirates pitching prospect Jameson Taillon could be the centerpiece for a possible deal. The Pirates appear willing to use him to bring in Price at this point, according to John Perrotto of Sports On Earth.
The Mariners interest in Price follows closely on the heals of reports that they are aggressively pursuing free agent second baseman Robinson Cano. Seattle has been working hard to upgrade their roster this off-season but they have had a difficult time persuading top free agents to sign there. While a deal that brings Price to Seattle will definitely prove extremely expensive, it could help the Mariners, who have endured four straight losing seasons to become a more attractive place for players to play.