Dodgers left-hander David Price announced that he will not play during the 2020 season via a post on his Instagram page, as first reported by Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe. Price becomes the highest-profile player to opt out of this year’s campaign, joining the likes of Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman, with others likely yet to come.
The Dodgers acquired Price, 34, in the February blockbuster trade that also sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles. He was set to embark on his first year in Los Angeles after a stint with the Red Sox that included a memorable postseason run culminating in a World Series title. However, with Price choosing not to play this year, the trade certainly looks a bit bleaker from the Dodgers’ point of view. Whereas the team thought it would get at least a whole year with Betts in the lineup and Price in the rotation, it’s looking increasingly likely that the pair will not play a game together in Los Angeles, with Betts set to reach free agency at season’s end.
By choosing not to play this year, Price will forfeit his prorated 2020 salary, which would have been roughly $11.9MM for a 60-game season. He will remain under contract with the Dodgers for two more years, valued at $64MM total. It’s worth mentioning that, with the Red Sox agreeing to shoulder half of Price’s $32MM salary for this year, Boston will also save nearly $6MM this season.
From a baseball perspective, Price’s absence will certainly be detrimental to the Dodgers’ title aspirations in 2020. With no Price in the rotation, expect to see Ross Stripling or Dustin May bumped into a regular starting role. The Dodgers have enviable depth in their starting pitching core, so they’re uniquely well-positioned to work around decisions like Price’s: Between Stripling, May, and Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers have a host of young starters who can share the load in the rotation.
In the statement Price posted to social media, he says that he’s “decided it is in the best interest of my heath and my family’s health for me to not play this season.” His concerns are no doubt shared by plenty of players across baseball, with the Angels’ Mike Trout expressing a similar sentiment yesterday. We’ll see just how many players choose to forego the season out of concern over the coronavirus, but it’s almost certain the Price won’t be the last big name to do so.
The Dodgers, for their part, had the following to say regarding Price’s decision:
The Dodgers fully support David’s decision to sit out the 2020 season. We have been in constant contact with David and we understand how much this deliberation weighed on him and his family. We know he’ll be rooting hard for the club every day and look forward to having him back with us in 2021.
jwardrip99
Ummm what?
joshua.barron1
Does this mean the Red Sox DONT pay his portion of his salary? Must be, right?
Dorothy_Mantooth
Correct
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
This deal just keeps getting better for the RS everyday..
Price just saved them $6M in hard $ and $6M against the luxury tax for this year.. He could have just gone to training camp and collected his prorated $12M…after all he would have been injured by the 2nd day while stretching.
deweybelongsinthehall
Wow. Nearly $6M more if they play. The Sox can be spenders now in August if the year starts and continues. Such assumes they remain competitive of course. Anyone doubt Bloom’s value, what would DD have likely brought back? I still love he brought the WS trophy to Boston again but since he’s gone, I’m simply trying to think positive.
bradthebluefish
How did Price save them $6MM come 2021?
nasrd
What a loser Price is
Black Ace57
Bloom’s draft was bad.
Randy Red Sox
Spenders??? Are you kidding ?? Mr Bloom will continue to SLASH the payroll any way he can as per John Henry’s instructions.
jr.white
they agreed to pay half his remaining salary as part of the trade. By not playing in 2020, price is forfeiting his prorated salary.
What I’m not sure about is the impact this has on the CBT. My guess is that this will be reflected, but I have yet to see that confirmed.
looiebelongsinthehall
Not 2021. 2020. By not playing, his salary this year doesn’t count. The prorated amount allocated for this year is nearly 12m of which 50% is Boston’s responsibility.
Fever Pitch Guy
Henry’s instructions were to get the payroll under the luxury tax threshold, that’s all he wants. If they play this year they will be well below it.
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
Who mentioned 2021?..RS were obligated to pay $6 towards Price’s contract if he played during this 60 game season..you know 2020.
He opted not to play saving the RS that money.
deweybelongsinthehall
looks great to me. The team did not have a second round pick, took an under the radar Pedroia type (fans can hope) who will likely sign for much less than the pick suggests and hope to use those extra funds to sign a guy away from college that if his power continues to develop can be the steal of the draft.
MLB-what-ifs
Total savings for the entire 2020 on David Price is $16 million. RS had already saved $10 million due to late start of season, and now the $6 million by him opting not to play the balance of the season.
looiebelongsinthehall
While it’s technically true with every contract, if you analyze things that way, you have to factor everything in including list advertising, marketing, etc. Since all contracts and tax thresholds are proportionate, nearly $6m is the calculated savings.
butch779988
Dead wrong
RickEO
Mookie Betts was drafted 172
Randy Red Sox
Yes it does and you just know John Henry is taking Mr Bloom out for a nice steak dinner tonight.
The Human Rain Delay
Pretty cool little treat for Boston Fans indeed-
Now if only they could get back their pride and humility as well……. That only cost them Jeter Downs and Connor Wong apparently
Will always wish Verdugo the best
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Now that the “Price is Wrong”, I say– “Come on Mookie–It’s Time to Play Hooky!”
13Morgs13
Smart move. He got a ton of money. No reason to risk it.
DarkSide830
luckily tje Dodgers have hella SP depth
HalosHeavenJJ
Yeah, if there’s one team who can easily afford to have their 4th starter take a year off it is the Dodgers.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Less now.
whyhayzee
NEW YORK — Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka was struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton on Saturday, casting a somber tone over the Yankees’ first formal workout of Summer Camp at Yankee Stadium.
Holy cow. You can’t make this up.
Dorothy_Mantooth
Did Stanton hurt himself running to the mound to see if he was okay?
whyhayzee
No, he actually just went to his knees and sat there kind of stunned. But holy cow. If COVID doesn’t get you, then how about a line drive to the head. Now he was pitching without a screen, but not having played for months has to do something to your ability to react to something like a line drive hit at you. Ouch.
whyhayzee
I do think it’s pretty silly calling it “summer camp”. Hey Bobbie, the Popsicle truck is here.
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
The first ball Stanton has hit in 500 days and this is the result…
He’s a walking black cloud in Pinstripes.
MLB-what-ifs
”curse” has changed cities
Ducky Buckin Fent
That’s cold, @mantooth.
But, damn. Funny as hell.
HalosHeavenJJ
That video is tough to watch.
SalaryCapMyth
You’re right, HH. I went and looked at the video and it’s a bit brutal.
What will hopefully keep the damage down is that when you watch Stanton, there is very little movement in his feet and almost no hip torq in his swing so he wasn’t giving it his all. It was a batting practice swing.
Don’t want anyone to read what I’m not saying though. Getting hit by a Stanton come backer no matter what swing he’s using sounds pretty terrifying.
bigcheesegrilledontoast
I hope the snowball doesn’t become an avalanche
caisaok
I hope it does 😉
caisaok
Players opting out that is…
trace
Just cancelled this faux season already.
nmendoza7
Old person
Afk711
The best moves are the ones you don’t make. Dodgers keeping Stripling and Pederson has come up huge with the DH and now this.
The Human Rain Delay
Ironic in that hes replacing Price
SashaBanksFan
Well they tried to make it, but the Angels bowed out. So I guess they can thank the Angels for that
Phanatic 2022
If a player opts out of the season does he still count against the cap?
Dorothy_Mantooth
Yes he does count against the cap.
makaio6
Luxury tax. There is no salary cap in MLB.
ChapmansVacuum
The tax wont be pro-rated no team will be within 100M of the cap. Highest salaries over 60 pro-rated games is like 80-90M max nobody will be anywhere near 205M.
Javia
Of course the tax will be pro-rated. Otherwise the tax is useless.
looiebelongsinthehall
I don’t believe the salary counts when it’s voluntary. Why would it if the player is not getting credit for service time?
deweybelongsinthehall
I just found this article. The issue apparently still needs to be resolved:
masslive.com/redsox/2020/07/david-price-opting-out…
hiflew
I assume if he gets paid while out, then he does count, but if he opts out without pay then he wouldn’t count.
The Human Rain Delay
There essentially is no cap this year with everything being prorated so it does’nt matter all that much
Nobodies hitting the lux this year unless the Yankkes double their payroll before the season starts essentially
brucenewton
Yanks will still incur the luxury tax penalties.
looiebelongsinthehall
I still think the league and MLBPA will eventually waive the tax threshold after the season ends so while there could be penalties, they won’t penalize teams looking to spend this off season. All teams will be reluctant to sign both big ticket and small contracts and the a players will need every team bidding.
Patrick OKennedy
There is a tax threshold in 2020. The luxury tax threshold is also prorated for 2020, so it’s about $77 million.
That includes average annual value of contracts and the amount of player benefits.
Since the Red Sox won’t be paying a salary to Price, they may be off the hook for the tax calculation as well, but nothing has been published that confirms that.
Chris Cotillo has a pretty good explanation here.
masslive.com/redsox/2020/07/david-price-opting-out…
herecomethephillies2018
So in other words, no one knows but wants to act like the do. Very good question though.
bigcheesegrilledontoast
Baseball has got to be one of the safer sports if you account for social distancing. Some of these players have lots of dollars but zero sense. Players should be protecting the integrity of baseball it’s bad enough in these tough times, grow a pair and stick together through this.
whyhayzee
“the integrity of baseball”
Funny.
bigcheesegrilledontoast
You should look up ‘integrity’ understand it’s meaning, then comment. My comment was apt.
whyhayzee
Let’s see, it’s before oxymoron.
User 4245925809
Baseball isn’t the game it was, but has a lot more integrity than the other 2 so called major sports in the US football and basket ball. 1 sold it’s soul for the latest activist gimmick and the other to china. Baseball has remained neutral throughout so far and hopefully continues to push aside both foul interests.
Steven Juris
So your okay with cops killing people of color. Okay with treating people of color with no respect at all. Shame that in 2020 racism is stil a problem, but when you elect a racist what did you expect to happen. Especially a racist with no morality whatsoever.
nowheretogobutup
You sound like a Demoarat your past Pres. is the one who split this country like never before. with his racist remarks similar to yours.
Javia
What racist remarks were those?
Sid Bream
@Steven Juris There are good & bad people in ALL walks of life, you’ve seen none of them, only your ideology.
The lies and propaganda that people like you put forth are unhinged and completely delusional. Last but not least where were all these protests when Obama was in power. You’re nothing but a hypocrite, but that of course is completely logical in cases and comments such as yours.
mfm420
none at all.
turns out the only person putting christians in camps was the current guy. oops.
Javia
Believe it or not we need both political parties to make this country great. Far left is Socialism, far right is Fascism. Meet in the middle and you have…us, the U.S.. So how about we meet in the middle and talk some baseball?
Price has the right to do whatever he wants. Personally, I won’t miss him. I will say, I would think twice about walking away from his current rate of pay. I seriously doubt he will be getting paid at a $32 million per year rate on his next contract. But whatever, it’s his right. The Dodgers won’t miss him and I won’t care until a star or someone my team needs sits out.
88winespodiodie
You really shouldn’t comment on a subject about which you’re clearly clueless. The 2 political parties are really one corporate-owned party, the fount of all evil that condemns this nation to its status as a true terrorist organization and global pariah. Socialism? You’re not paying attention — this nation has been a socialist country since day one, with slaves, the poor, the overworked and underfed, all paying for the misadventures of militarism and the corruption of corporations. You’re a f’in idiot and a damned fine example of why the U. S. is a failed state: the abject ignorance of the masses.
Javia
I see. You are the one true Messiah. The one and only who knows all and sees all. Sorry to step on your toes.
Javia
Again, it seems that you are the only true “one” who knows the truth and everyone else is “clueless”. I guess that makes everyone, including you 88, clueless. Unless you happen to be God. And I do not believe in god.
I mean “clueless”, really? After you spew that craziness?
Javia
I mean, You, Of All People, Are trying to go Collins…
Javia
Go Collins…
nasrd
Oh my. What a doom and gloom person you are. I am surprised you even know what baseball is?
nasrd
This 88’ sounds like they are either messing around or possibly mentally unstable….just saying?
User 4245925809
88winespod: Learn this in some modern day “higher learning” establishment? it fits with the line of bs /brainwashing taught by many hs/so called enlightened teachers now.
Quarter century ago, when my son was in HS still, would challenge some of these delusional ones that attempted to give him some of the what I perceived to be wild ideas thought by myself on history.. Which happens to be my specialty.
I found it amazing, even then how little actual history supposed teachers really knew on subjects they were teaching when approached and questioned. it was quite enjoyable watching them squirm a couple times with facts.
afasoxfan
Really? not the current moron in WH? Very interesting because the orange guy calls names and divides people every day. Feel free to come out from under your rock
MLB-what-ifs
Dumb-0-craps
Joe does not know where he is, still thinks he is running for senate….. His videos are lol funny to watch! He is a blooper (or more per minute). His VP would become president day one if he gets elected….hope he chooses wisely …. just in case…..
butch779988
Idiot Juris
JustCheckingIn
But the guy making KKK quality speeches and refuses to denote ANY race violence is your saint?
You’re just a partisan moron
wild bill tetley
Commonsense you might want to change your name if you are this clueless about American history. Truly a shame on your part.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Hey goingdown: You lost the Civil War, incest has decimated you & you follow Satan—you lose.
Questionable_Source
Since Price was a member of the sign-stealing, cheating Red Sox, by going nowhere near a baseball field, he is protecting the integrity of baseball.
bigcheesegrilledontoast
Oh here we go…. C’mon man totally unrelated…. Concentrate on your breathing techniques
Appalachian_Outlaw
I don’t know if I believe you… You’re a questionable source.
ChapmansVacuum
“Protect the integrity” of a owner imposed 60 game crapshoot season where any winning or losing streak can catapult or tank a given team. It will be fun to watch baseball, but dont think for a second this season is anything other then entertainment.
Ejemp2006
Every season is nothing more than entertainment
JustCheckingIn
How many tested positive yesterday in like day 3 of camp? How naive are you to think they’re safe because they play 90 feet from each base?
mlbdodgerfan2015
That’s fine. But if there is so much concern and players are testing positive so frequently just cancel the season. It’s already an asterisk season. I think a more than 50% chance the season doesn’t get underway or gets cancelled during the season. Teams and players not doing enough to prevent players from getting it.
looiebelongsinthehall
If you have family to worry about, they actually have a huge set already to make a tough decision like this. Also, the integrity of the sport is already impaired by the limited schedule and of course the changed extra inning rule.
Basebal101
@cheese, There are definitely plenty without sense but you should start by looking in the mirror. Do you realize how stupid you sound stating a person should risk their health and potential lives over a sport/game? It’s mind blowing to know people that are really this ignorant actually walk the earth.
HalosHeavenJJ
I support guys decisions here. Play, don’t play, do what you consider best for your family. Isn’t the entire thing we’re celebrating today about personal freedom and choices?
Happy 4th, baseball fans.
WiffleBall
I don’t even care if it’s just selfishness. It’s there right. I fully support it.
looiebelongsinthehall
Selfishness? Not in my books. I for example have already told my employer I will not do any traveling that involves a plane, train or subway at least until sometime next year. I understand family health concerns as I’m not getting younger and for those who might remember, my wife nearly died two years ago and is left disabled and susceptible. Blogging on this site saved me mentally then, especially during a six plus hour surgery when I was alone.
A'sfaninLondonUK
@looiebelongsinthehall
You do what you have to do. That must have been a horribly lonely six hours.
My best wishes to you & your lady wife.
stansfield123
The thing we’re celebrating today would not exist if 2,96% of the population of the 13 colonies didn’t fight the Revolutionary War … at thousands of times greater personal risk than what someone is facing by playing baseball.
DarkSide830
war is also not the same as a virus. very different threats. i can guarantee you it was a lot easier to avoid the war then it is to avoid a pandemic in a global society.
pj68
DarkSide, that might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever read.
Ducky Buckin Fent
@stansfield
Hat tip.
@darkside
I’ve experienced war. Your assertion that it is “easy to avoid” is… man, I’m really struggling how to say this.
Let’s go with; completely incorrect. And, quite frankly, I think a lot of people would find it totally insulting. If I dwell on it I will too.
HalosHeavenJJ
100% true. Thankfully armed citizens decided to stand up to an authoritarian government and give the remaining citizens freedom to choose their own path in life.
wild bill tetley
Authoritarian? Didn’t really see an overreach on the Federal level for State actions, or inaction. Not sure what you’re talking about. I’m sure you’re not sure what you’re talking about.
denistaylor
Dang it! Yanks are his Daddy.
jordokmiller
Question: if he plays this season he gets a pro-rated amount for his $32mill, so something like $11.8mill, right?
and if he opts out, he doesn’t get the year of service time, so does the $32mill year defer until next year?
if so, then of course he’s sitting out, like a $20mill decision.
The Human Rain Delay
No –
His commitments for 21 would still be 16 from Bos 16 from Lad
22 is the same as well
stansfield123
No, the contracts don’t “defer”. There is a legal term called “force majeure”, which frees parties from a contract when something extraordinary happens which prevents the terms of the contract from being fulfilled.
The first two thirds of the contracts for the the 2020 season are null and void, and players can opt out of the rest as well, if they wish. Nothing’s deferred. That money is simply no longer owed to the players.
jordokmiller
Thank you for the clarification!
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Dodgers aren’t prorated—they still get $300,000,000 every year for 25 years from the Time Warner broadcast deal—fans or no fans.
JustCheckingIn
That’s how contracts work moron
puigpower
Ugh, here I was ready to give him another shot
szc55
Getting ridiculous.
TheRickestRick
Just wait till Trout walks away from this coming season.
I’m surprised not more players aren’t “saying see you in 2021”
ChapmansVacuum
His kids due in Aug-Sept, and he has already been public about his reticence to play.
Priggs89
That’s funny because in June he was tweeting, “Tell us when and where!!” about starting the season.
Strike Four
Just end this season now, its getting too much. Players are dropping like flies.
chickensgotmyhens
haha. not true but funny seeing as you are ridiculous in your representations of how this is affecting/not affecting players. to date not one player has ever passed out so your literal description is beyond lame
JustCheckingIn
So until a ball player dies from covid, it’s no biggie?
Man you’re a special type of dk
hiflew
So until a ball player dies from covid, it’s no biggie?
Yes, that is it exactly. Why should we mourn someone that recovers or will recover from sickness? The game should go on regardless. There have been players that have nearly died on the field from a batted ball without the game stopping. Players suffer career threatening injuries more often than anyone would like, but the game doesn’t stop. As long as testing is done and care is taken, it really is no biggie. Just because there are some names attached to the disease now, doesn’t change anything.
JustCheckingIn
And that line of thinking is exactly why this is as bad as it is… in the US. Why were the only nation in the world with a second spike this bad
It’s not a problem until it affects you. That’s bs. These guys are paid millions to entertain you.. but they’re still human. They still have little kids, and diabetes in their families, and heart problems in their families
To expect every one of them to put YOUR ENTERTAINMENT over THEIR FAMILIES health… or that gives you a right to talk about their personality… that speaks a lot more about the man you’re not than the man he’s not
hiflew
“or that gives you a right to talk about their personality”
“that speaks a lot more about the man you’re not than the man he’s not”
It’s always funny when people contradict themselves in the the same sentence. Or actually the same run-on clauses, since you didn’t actually use a sentence. Besides, I have paid money to MLB that in some small form pays the player’s salary. You have not paid me a dime. So I have more of a right to have an opinion on the player than you have a right to have an opinion about me.
Of course, you also have to notice the fact that I said ABSOLUTELY nothing about David Price’s personality. Nor did I insult you personally. So maybe you need to take a step back and get your facts straight before you insult someone’s manhood. You do that to someone in real life and you will get hurt.
JustCheckingIn
You’re trying to tell me something that’s killed more Americans than WW1 and re-spiking ONLY in This country isn’t a problem. Okay dude
I have every right to criticize you’re flawed logical process. If you don’t like it, don’t post on a Public website. And don’t quote me and expect I won’t say something? You’re entire line of thinking is flawed. Sucks I called you out on it Huh?
But you’re obsessed with stupid periods, grasping at a point that may make you sound intelligent. Instead, you’re stuck in the propaganda that has engulfed this country claiming this isn’t a big deal
JustCheckingIn
In the end, you’re throwing an online hissy fit because a man put his two infant children before your entertainment
What an idol you are!
DarkSide830
its been like 6 total lol
66TheNumberOfTheBest
“I don’t understand why Price is more worried about the safety of his family when he could be making millions of dollars” – The pro life people with family values.
hiflew
In fairness with proper investment, the millions of dollars could take care of his family line far longer than his life span.
JustCheckingIn
Not when you’ve already banked a 200M contract. 11M doesn’t moving the needle like it does for you
Maybe you should consider his Situation not yours!? The idea!!!!!
Orel Saxhiser
Prediction: By Thursday, more than 100 MLB players will have tested positive and at least 100 will have opted out.
chickensgotmyhens
yea. a 100 players does what. explain. expound. go on. one hundred new young players will be ready and willing to play. they aint babies
BuddyBoy
I would take that bet all day, every day.
Jordan 5
So ridiculous.
chickensgotmyhens
finally some good news. hopefully a few other non notables drop out. lets the young’n play and allows these washed up old overpaid veterans players to sit at home like little babies. thank you for being a baby dave price. i will salute your decision to make sure i do not have to see you play this year, ahh
chickensgotmyhens
tanaka just hit in head with line drive and even he plays this year. bet on it
JustCheckingIn
Dumb kid
DarkSide830
who is dumb? the guy who is making a true comment or the professional at his sport? i don’t agree with the commenter’s sentiment but the statement about Tanaka is probably valid.
JustCheckingIn
Go read all his comments. I stand by my diagnosis
That was just his last one when I said something
herecomdatboi
lets shut everything down and live as cavemen
herecomdatboi
shut everything down and return to monkey so we cant catch da virus
NY_Yankee
It is not a big loss for the Dodgers. Why? Price might be one the most overrated players I ever seen (look at his career postseason record, and how the Yankees own this guy ( even have up Jeter’s 3,000th hit)).
stansfield123
It’s not a loss for the Dodgers at all. It’s a loss for us though…we might’ve started the WS a point up:)
hiflew
So you think a smaller sample of the postseason is more indicative of his ability than the longer regular season? Maybe the guy just doesn’t pitch well in cold weather. He is still one of the better pitchers of this generation.
Baseballallday
The guy objectively doesn’t pitch well against the Yankees. Looks at his numbers. It’s not just a post season thing, it’s a whole season thing. I had the same thought when I read this, actually helps the Dodgers if it come down to a yankee dodger WS like people are predicting.
In fairness price doesn’t really pitch well against anyone in the postseason. He had a good 2018 WS but other than that his October numbers are pretty laughable.
hiflew
Also in fairness, if his numbers weren’t great in the regular season, the team might not be playing in October for him to have mediocre stats. Clayton Kershaw has pretty mediocre postseason numbers and I don’t think you would find many that think he still wasn’t the best pitcher of the 2010s decade.
Baseballallday
Well the conversation was he’s done poorly against the Yankees in the post season and therefore the Yankees want to play him in the postseason. You tried to argue it was too small of a sample size and I was explaining to you it’s not, price can’t play against the Yankees regardless of the time of year. I was adding in playing him in October has the added bonus that he generally hasn’t been great that time of year regardless of the opponent.
A team like the dodgers has the SP depth they are going to make the playoffs with or without Price unless they have some crazy injuries or start out on an unbelievable cold streak and can’t recover in a 60 games season. Also I really wouldn’t call his numbers in the regular season great. They’re decent but in no way dominant…. Granted if you only watch him play the Yankees you would think he’s much worse than he actually is.
mlbdodgerfan2015
Can we get him to opt out of his two remaining seasons. That would be best case scenario for the Dodgers.
throwinched10
Freedom of choice.
You can disagree with his choice but if you dont support his freedom to choose, well then…
stansfield123
What are you on about? Of course he has freedom of choice. All Americans have been free to not show up for work since 1865. (one of the few countries where that’s true, btw.)
JustCheckingIn
(He’s talking about the people claiming Price doesn’t have that right)
BortMcCheevers
Well this guarantees that for once he wont’ blow any playoff games.
22222pete
So 12 million after state and Federal taxes probably only 7 million for him. He probably made more than that in investment income this year with the Fed and Black Rock pumping up the market. So why not just blow off the whole year. That way you don’t have to play for free for 2 months (spring training and post season) just to get in 2 months of paid work
Just cancel the season already
Akblaze
Stupid.
gregpitikus
No, they should absolutely play ball — from all I’ve read, playing major league baseball should actually be pretty darn safe. But when they’re not playing ball, they should wear a mask and socially distance, like any sane, kind human would, to protect others who are more likely to be affected by COVID than they are. All of these guys testing positive who are asymptomatic and certainly had no idea they had the virus are proof of just how easily it can spread without anyone even being aware of it. I just don’t understand how being respectful of human life has become something to criticize.
kreckert
Good for him.
OCTraveler
Lifelong Dodger fan (first game 1959 in Coliseum w Koufax striking out 18 Giants) and I am going thru baseball withdrawal because of COVID but I 100% support Price’s decision. The season should be put on hold.
This disease is REAL and the only way to get through this is to play it safe. #Shelterinplace
Javia
This is funny. Everyone here on this site knows “the real truth”. Yet there are two sides here and they are diametrically opposed. Could it be that nobody knows “the real truth”?
hiflew
I get that these guys want to take care of themselves and their families, but this gives another person a chance to take your spot. There are a very limited number of opportunities for professional baseball players and there are dozens of players vying for every single roster spot. This won’t hurt a guy like Price that has a guaranteed contract, but you have to think of a guy that is right on the fringe. He won’t be able to take the option of staying home unless he is willing to give up on baseball entirely. You not being there just shows the bosses that they can get a younger, cheaper option to take your spot and how eminently replaceable each and every player really is. Some players may take longer than others to fully replace, but it will be done at some point.
Cubguy13
Why? Everyone wants to talk how important saving lives is but no one will stay home to do it? If saving lives isn’t an option to most then why should I care?
Ducky Buckin Fent
Does he realize that the Yankees don’t play in the NL West?
Good luck, Price. Hope your wrist can stand up to all the fortnight time you now have on your hands.
its_bigger
It’s too bad; Price would have been good for a couple of Yankees wins in the WS.
kershawsgrandma22
How is anyone still afraid of the coronavirus? What a piece of crap.
JustCheckingIn
Go ahead. Click it. I dare ya to tell me the threat is gone in the US
twitter.com/obsoletedogma/status/12787101926082478…
Ducky Buckin Fent
The comments bring up an interesting question.
Due to all salaries being prorated do all teams over the CBT get to reset? This would have some pretty big ramifications for the upcoming free agent market.
I appreciate the help, fellas.
Fever Pitch Guy
Yes, which is a big reason why most soon to be free agent players want to play this season. There won’t be any teams worried about the CBT next year, which means they are free to spend as much as they want.
Ducky Buckin Fent
@feverpitch
Thanks for the reply.
That’s a pretty big game changer. That alone should make this off-season pretty interesting. The flip side, obviously, being how the various MLB owners deal with the lost revenue.
I can see a pretty active market or the exact opposite. Ya know? Should be (to use an MLBTR word) fascinating.
wild bill tetley
Shocked it took this long for Price to make this decision. Covid is a big deal, but this was an excuse to show Price is soft. He knows it, we know it, next man up.
bravesfan
Dodgers single handily getting beat up by covid more than any other team mostly because of the trade that got betts and price over
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Hey Atl: Nah—it’s cause of all the flapjack spit.
great_gumbino
Sweet ! Now Gonsolin can start
James Midway
He wanted to get ahead of the inevitable arm/leg injury.
BlueSkies_LA
Until I read this I didn’t know that the Dodgers had “title aspiration in 2020.” No team seriously could in a season where the last team able to field a healthy squad of major leaguers wins.
A'sfaninLondonUK
@blueskies above
Enjoy your posts – so don’t consider this me throwing a stone – but could your post also read that the team that takes the most comprehensive anti-Covid precautions now be considered the most likely winners of WS 2020?
Could that relay a message to the wider society?
BlueSkies_LA
Won’t argue against that, but the reality is that a teams taking better precautions would be playing against teams that don’t. And since they are all supposed to be following the MLB protocols I’m not sure what else any given team can do. Anyway my point is I don’t believe any self-respecting baseball fan is going to regard this as a real baseball season, even assuming it is completed (which to me seems quite unlikely). Nobody who “wins” deserves any bragging rights, that’s for sure.
wild bill tetley
Whatever. If the Dodgers win the World Series, take it, be happy, stop complaining. Honestly, stop complaining. Everyone starts at the same starting line, legitimate season or not.
BlueSkies_LA
Whatever. I did say “self-respecting baseball fan.” Maybe it was for a reason. Take some time to figure it out.
wild bill tetley
And you’re still whining. You are not the guy to measure what a “self-respecting baseball fan” is. You’re not one, clearly. Stop complaining.
denistaylor
Why do I feel like he will have wrist problems again next season from too much Fortnite?
xSpecBx
I can understand David Price’s decision to sit out. He has a young family and he probably isn’t hurting for the money. What i struggle with is the thought that COVID is going away. While there is some promise, there is no guarantee that a vaccine will be developed and at some point, we are all going to need to accept the fact that COVID is here to stay and will part of our lives. Even if they do develop a vaccine, half the population won’t get it anyway because someone on YouTube said is causes autism or is some kind of kind control plot by Bill Gates.
tommytbom
Price working on a 217 million dollar contract doesn’t have to work another day in his life. Smart to stay home with family and see what happens to MLB next year.
liljoe12
Smart = selfish, and cowardly beyond all comprehension. Symbol of our times. Hope he doesn’t get a ring, he definitely does not deserve one
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
This guy wants media attention any way he can. Glad the Dodgers became the Red Sox dumping ground for the second / third time in the last 15 years.
mlbdodgerfan2015
Well, this time the Red Sox got a bit lucky with COVID. Yes, Price’s bloated contract allowed the Dodgers to give up less for the Betts trade. But Colletti bidding against himself was one of the biggest blunders that I could not understand. It was bad enough that the Dodgers were taking in so much dead money contracts for Beckett and Crawford, but to pony up some higher rated prospects was just flat out asinine. Kept hearing in the local media that there were other teams bidding for Gonzalez. And we all thought to ourselves there are no other teams that are willing to take on this much contract. Just lucky that these prospects didn’t pan out. Gonzalez was the only good thing that came out of that and even his contract was bad for the last 1-2 seasons.
Basebal101
There will be no 2020 season anyways, so this won’t change much,.
liljoe12
LOL