In an interview with Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (video link), Tigers ace David Price discussed his lasting connection with the Vanderbilt baseball program, the absence of Victor Martinez in his team’s lineup, his early picks for the AL Cy Young and, perhaps most interestingly to MLBTR readers, his upcoming free agency. Price says that free agency hasn’t been on his mind very often throughout the year to this point, as he tries to focus on the season at hand. Price adds that winning “takes precedent over everything else” when thinking about where he will play after 2015, but he feels the culture of the team will be important as well. “I want to have fun,” said Price. “There are some teams that are just a no-fun zone. I don’t care how much money I’m making. To me, I couldn’t imagine waking up and [not wanting to go to the field]. I couldn’t handle that. I’ll quit before that happens.” The 2012 Cy Young winner also reiterated that he wants a chance to win both immediately and long-term.
More from the AL Central…
- Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com looks at the Indians’ recent decision to option Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez in favor of Zach Walters and Giovanny Urshela. Ramirez’s demotion was long overdue, says Meisel, but a lack of alternatives in the Majors delayed the decision. Meisel notes that the clock is ticking on a promotion for top prospect Francisco Lindor, and he also wonders if Chisenhall might’ve “burned through his last chance” with the Indians after another demotion.
- Via MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian (Twitter link), Indians GM Chris Antonetti said that Lindor was, in fact, a consideration to join the big league roster. However, Lindor has been bothered by some minor hand and core issues and is not currently at 100 percent. As Meisel noted in his piece, Lindor is slashing .295/.363/.446 over the past month after a slow start, so it’s fair to wonder just how much longer it will be before the consensus Top 10 prospect joins Cleveland’s big league roster. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that he gets the sense that the team wants to see Lindor consistently perform at the Triple-A level before a promotion.
- The Twins have optioned struggling shortstop Danny Santana to Triple-A Rochester and recalled DH Kennys Vargas in his place. Both switch-hitters were in Minnesota’s Opening Day lineup, but each endured struggles. Santana received a longer leash than Vargas, who was optioned in early May, but the team seems to have run out of patience for the time being. Santana batted just .218/.235/.291 just one year after hitting .319/.353/.472 as a rookie. He’ll work on rediscovering his stroke and also cutting down on the errors at shortstop, but I’d imagine that with Jorge Polanco performing well at Double-A and being a more well-regarded defender, there’s a chance that Polanco could leapfrog Santana. As for Vargas, the hulking slugger hit .308/.403/.519 with three homers in 16 Triple-A games. He should get another chance to hold down Minnesota’s DH spot for the duration of the season. However, Twins DHs are hitting just .249/.308/.328, so if Vargas struggles, that may be an area they consider short-term upgrades this summer. In fact, I could envision the Twins looking for help at either of those positions in July, if they hang in near the top of the division.
I wonder which teams, other than the Yankees, are “no-fun zones.”
Even though I assume that is one of the teams he was referring to, they’re definitely not a no-fun, all serious environment, that’s certainly a misconception. The team actually has a lot of fun with each other, they’re just serious when they need to be. That being said, I do wonder the entirety of who it is he’s talking about
Fox Sports announcers mentioned Morosi’s talk with Price. John Smoltz spoke about some teams not allowing the pitchers to play golf(on their off days) because position players could not golf before a night game. He stated he turned down a lot more money to play for other teams other than the Braves for that reason. I know Price is a big golfer and plays with JV often. I would guess that is one of the things that would make up a “no fun zone ” for Price..
I’m assuming he’s tieing “no fun zone” to losing as well. Matter of opinion of course, but he’d have to talking be Marlins/Rockies. I don’t find the comment all that interesting, unless he’s referring to somewhat of a surprise…like the Dodgers
Yankees are a no-fun zone? Could you elaborate? Not an offended Yankees fan (far from it) but curious as to why you say that.
Price is still mad that the Yankees have a no beard policy. It’s ok they aren’t going to sign him anyway. He can have his beard that covers his craters.
They had fun with mustaches this year just the same as beards and didn’t look dirty like the red sux.
I would beg to differ that those crustaches didn’t look dirty. They made an awful lot of those players look like they belonged in white, windowless vans…
My assumption is the media coverage. Too much drama can take the fun out of anything. I wonder if Boston would be on his list if media is indeed the reason.
Any team that doesn’t allow pitchers to play golf is a “no fun zone”. He loves to play golf with his team mates in his free time.
Both the Tigers and Price are doing the right thing by waiting.
There are so many other pitchers entering Free Agency next year, that it makes no sense to overpay Price right now. Getting Zimmerman or Cueto or Greinke for a similar or even lower price tag may make more sense…. Also Shark and Fister are there as backup plans.
Unfortunately, Detroit is not treated by FA’s as a destination spot. I-Rod and Ordonez due to health questions, didn’t have many if any other offers, and the Tigers still paid more than projected to get them. Fielder also had many detractors in trying to get a long term contract, due to his body type and the projected career many were predicting. The Tigers again were the only suitor, yet still had to pay top dollar. The only reason the Tigers have any chance of signing Price is because he is currently with the team. He may like his teammates and have confidence in DD keeping them competitive. If they can sign him, they should, because they are unlikely to attract one of the others. Fister was traded because he wanted to play on the west coast, so I doubt he would be an option.
You couldn’t be more wrong. Hunter, Damon, Sanchez, VMartinez, RDavis, Kenny Rogers. The list goes on. Even Scherzer wanted to stay if the money was right. They have no trouble attracting or keeping who they want. Like every team, the money has to be competitive.
Raja has been a nice piece but he is not a premium player, not even a full time player. I will give you Hunter and Detroit just looked to be a perfect fit. Sanchez was ready to sign in Chicago until Detroit outbid them at the last minute, even though he had played half a season here. Scherzer left. Again, Detroit is not a destination spot. Only if Detroit is the only, or Highest bidder will a player sign with us. Kinda like Andrew Miller signing with the Yankees, rather than Houston who offered more. No one takes less because they get to play in Detroit (Sorry Joba, not buying it). Unfortunately, it does not appear the Tigers have the budget to win the bidding on a top FA. Being competitive means the player signs elsewhere.
Vargas should never have been sent down in the first place. He struggled to start the season (partially due to an unsustainably low BABIP) but was off to a great start in May batting .366/.395/.561 before being sent down. Glad they justified the wrong in the end as he supplies much needed power.
he’s obviously referring to the Cubs.
Lindor isn’t ‘ready’ to come up yet because it would start his arbitration clock running. All that other stuff is blowing smoke.