Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) – The Detroit Tigers and pitcher David Price
have reportedly agreed to a one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration.
The Tigers have yet to announce the agreement, but MLB.com reports it to be
worth $19.75 million. It would be the largest one-year contract for an
arbitration-eligible player prior to free agency, topping the $15.25 million
deal the Tigers and pitcher Max Scherzer worked out last season.
Scherzer, who also turned down a multi-year contract from the Tigers, is still
on the open market as a free agent.
Price can become a free agent next year, but the two sides can still work
toward a multi-year deal.
The left-hander joined the Tigers last July in a trade with Tampa Bay and was
4-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 11 starts after the deal. In 34 starts overall, Price
was 15-12 with a 3.26 ERA.
Price won the 2012 Cy Young with Tampa Bay and is a four-time All-Star. He
owns a career record of 86-51 with a 3.21 ERA in 186 games, all but five as a
starter.