David Price rumors: Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals

There is an expectation that the Tampa Bay Rays could begin making left-handed starting pitcher David Price available in trade as soon as this upcoming offseason. While all teams will covet the Cy Young Award winner, not all clubs can afford him. For this reason, ESPN's Buster Olney told Mut & Merloni of WEEI that the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are a few of the teams that he views as realistic landing spots for Price.

Olney notes that there are only so many teams that can provide Price with the lucrative long-term contract he'll be seeking. He believes the Cubs, Red Sox and Cardinals will all be able to meet the southpaw's required tab.

But teams won't only have to match Price's demands, they'll also have to send the Rays a bevy of prospects to acquire their ace. Olney believes all three of the clubs mentioned above could also meet this, but he adds that the Cardinals "could blow everybody out of the water in a bidding situation" considering their impressive farm system.

Price has maintained an ERA of 3.22 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.78 over parts of six seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old is earning $10.1125 million this year, and he won't reach the free agent market until after the 2015 season.

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