Yankees Trade Rumors: Could They Actually Land David Price?

Jun 4, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This time of year. you hear all sorts of crazy rumors about all sorts of players being traded and all sorts of teams interested in players. File this under things that probably wont happen: The Yankees acquiring David Price. ESPN’s Jim Bowden laid this out:

"“Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has made it clear that he will provide GM Brian Cashman the resources he needs to make a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, and the Yankees won’t be seeing the postseason if they don’t deal for another legitimate starter who doesn’t have health or decline questions. The Yankees’ system is loaded, and though they would decline the inclusion of Dellin Betances, the Rays’ first choice, they would give up what they have to in the minor leagues to acquire Price. The Rays have a long-term need at catcher, and Gary Sanchez would be the perfect acquisition in a Price deal. Sanchez would benefit from being developed behind the Rays’ Ryan Hanigan, who did a great job influencing Devin Mesoraco in Cincinnati before his trade to Tampa Bay. The Rays would also need a pitcher back in the deal, with Luis Severino being a top target. The 20-year-old is dominating the South Atlantic League, with a strikeout per inning and an ERA under 3.00. And because the Yankees would have to overpay — they’re in the Rays’ division and don’t have an Aaron Sanchez to deal — they also might have to toss in power-hitting prospect Peter O’Brien, who continues to hit towering home runs at an alarming rate (23 already between High A and Double-A).”"

Would the Yankees pay this enormous price to get Price? They might, considering both Brian McCann and Mark Teixeira are signed long-term and they could have Masahiro Tanaka, Price and Michael Pineda in their rotation for years to come.

The trade: Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino and Peter O’Brien for Price.

First of all, I can’t see the Yankees using this kind of package for Price. I don’t think they want to trade three of their best prospects inside the division. If Sanchez would blossom into an All-Star, and they traded him inside the division it could backfire. Also, Bowden’s point on McCann and Tex doesn’t matter. There’s a thing called the DH, plus Sanchez and O’Brien may not be ready quite yet.

Secondly, Price’s velocity has been decreasing. Per Fangraphs, his velocity has decreased from 95.5 to 93.2 the past two years. Hmm…lefty starter with decreasing fastball velocity. Sound familiar? The Yankees already have big money tied up into one of those in CC Sabathia. Can the Yankees afford to do that twice? I don’t think so.

If the Yankees trade any package like this, it’s to Chicago for Jeff Samardzija. Not in the division. Not for Price. Sorry Mr. Bowden.