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The Tigers have swung a blockbuster trade, acquiring David Price from the Rays in a three-team deal with the Mariners, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. The Mariners are acquiring Austin Jackson from the Tigers, and the Rays are getting infielder Nick Franklin from Seattle as well as Drew Smyly and prospect Willy Adames from Detroit.
Price has been the crown jewel of the entire trade season, drawing interest from almost every contender since the Rays made him available. The Dodgers, Pirates and Cardinals were among the most interested in teams as of earlier today, but the Tigers swooped in at the last minute and acquired the ace. Price joins Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello in a very good Tigers' rotation that may have to go toe-to-toe with the Athletics' rotation corps of Jon Lester, Jeff Samardzija, Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir.
Price, 28, is 11-8 with a 3.11 ERA in 23 starts with the Rays so far this season. The four-time All-Star will depart Tampa for the first time in his career in hopes of winning his first world championship after getting as far as the World Series in 2008.
Jackson, who was pulled from the Tigers' game in the seventh inning due to the deal, will immediately become the Mariners' center fielder alongside fellow new addition Chris Denorfia. The 27-year old Jackson has hit .270/.330/.397 in 99 games with Detroit on the season.
Franklin, 23, has been the subject of constant trade rumors since last offseason due to the Mariners having Brad Miller in line as their shortstop of the future. He has been linked to the Rays for months, and may replace Yunel Escobar at shortstop in the near future.
Smyly, 25, will join the Rays' rotation after posting a 6-9 record and 3.77 ERA in 20 appearances (17 starts) on the year. He is under team control through the 2018 season, and will likely be a long-term force in Tampa's rotation.
Adames, 18, was recently ranked by MLB.com as the Tigers' third best prospect. The shortstop has spent the season with Single-A West Michigan, hitting .269/.346/.428 with six home runs and 50 RBI in 98 games. He is regarded as a solid contact hitter whose arm and glove could keep him at shortstop in the long-term.