Blue Jays Win The David Price Derby, Acquire Star Left-Hander From Tigers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A starting pitcher that could have made the Yankees the team to beat in the AL is now going to one of their rivals.
The Toronto Blue Jays pulled off their second massive trade prior to the deadline, acquiring left-hander David Price from the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, the teams announced.
When the Tigers surprised many by making Price available, the Yankees, Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants emerged as favorites, CBSSports.com and WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman reported.
The Bombers were seen as somewhat long shots to get the 29-year-old Price. General manager Brian Cashman had been unwilling to include any of his top four prospects -- pitcher Luis Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge, first baseman Greg Bird or shortstop Jorge Mateo -- in talks with Philadelphia for left-hander Cole Hamels, who was reportedly traded to Texas on Wednesday night. The same issue scuttled a potential deal with San Diego for All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel.
A five-time All-Star with an AL Cy Young Award on his resume, Price is the second high-profile move by the Blue Jays this week. On Tuesday night they acquired stud shortstop Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies.
Price is 9-4 with a 2.53 ERA and 138 strikeouts this season. He led the majors with 271 strikeouts in 2014.
The Yankees (57-43) entered played Thursday six games ahead of Baltimore and seven in front of Toronto in the AL East. Masahiro Tanaka struggled with his command during Wednesday night's 5-2 loss to Texas, adding worry to a rotation that faces durability concerns.
"These guys have gotten us to this point," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of his starting pitchers. "I don't know if we are going to do anything. I don't know if we are going to match up with other teams. I believe the guys in that room will get the job done. I will continue to focus on those guys."
On Thursday afternoon, WFAN's Mike Francesa reported that right-hander Michael Pineda would miss Thursday start against the Rangers due to an injury to his pitching arm.
