Seattle Mariners Trade Rumors: David Price Deal Seems Unlikely

David Price would certainly look good in a Seattle Mariners uniform, but I wouldn’t pre-order your fan-style jersey just yet. I hate to burst the bubble of those that are hoping for this trade, but it seems like a longshot.

Is it still worth a few phone calls to the Tampa Bay Rays? Absolutely. Price is an ace, and he is arguably in his prime. Winning is still about starting pitching, and if the M’s could somehow pry Price out of Florida, Seattle would arguably have three aces on their staff.

What’s the problem? Sticker price. The Rays may feel some pressure to move Price, but they aren’t going to give him away in a fire sale.

What do the Rays want? Prospects, and good ones at that. Yes, that means someone like Taijuan Walker.

The Mariners should not trade Walker for Price. Period. Certainly there is the unproven nature of baseball prospects, but Seattle would essentially be giving away their best young talent for a player who could be a longer-term rental.

This isn’t the NBA where you do sign-and-trade deals. If you could get Price committed to a long-term deal in Seattle, that would be one thing. However, he is unlikely to do that. Price could play out his contract (free agent after 2015) and then test the market.

If the Mariners were to trade for Price, they would have to feel really good about their prospects of winning the World Series in 2014 or 2015. This team is certainly improved and playing some good ball, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

David Price does not punch your ticket to the World Series, and realistically he doesn’t even guarantee that the Mariners would make the postseason.

Price is a desirable quantity, and the Mariners should work on a package of lesser prospects. However, this deal still seems like it is not going to happen.