Tigers acquire Price in three-team deal with Rays, Mariners

The Detroit Tigers have acquired left-hander David Price in a three-team deal with the Seattle Mariners and the Tampa Bay Rays, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported just before the trade deadline.

Austin Jackson (from Tigers) and minor league shortstop Willy Adames (from Rays) will head to Seattle, while Drew Smyly (from Detroit) and Nick Franklin (from Seattle) will be heading to the Tampa Bay Rays.  

The 28-year-old Price was the highlight of the trade deadline this season, as many teams were interested in acquiring him from the Rays. The St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, and Pittsburgh Pirates were all mentioned as suitors for Price during his time on the market. The favorite fluctuated between many different teams, but the Tigers came out of nowhere to get him today. 

All the buzz for Price was for good reason. The Tennessee native is 11-8 with a 3.11 ERA, a 2.93 FIP, and a 189 to 23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 170 2/3 innings pitched thus far for the Rays. Over his seven year career, the 2012 American League Cy Young award winner is 82-47 with a 3.18 ERA, 3.33 FIP, and a 1,065 to 309 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 1,143 2/3 innings pitched in seven seasons, all with Tampa Bay.

Here is what Price tweeted after finding out that he was dealt to Detroit:

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"wow...what a day!! Rays fans THANK YOU!! Great Chapter of my life just ended...ready to start a new one with the Tigers!! Thanks again"

Another reason as to why Price was so valuable is because unlike Jon Lester, another top pitching target on the trade market, Price is under contract for more than just the 2014 season. Price still has an entire year left on his contract, of which he is arbitration-eligible for his fourth season. He was a Super Two player, so his arbitration-eligibility kicked in a year early in 2012. 

While Price is the main piece in this deal, there are a lot of moving parts. One of the more interesting moving pieces is Drew Smyly, a 25-year-old lefty that is 6-9 with a 3.77 ERA, 4.17 FIP, and a 87 to 31 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 100 1/3 innings pitched for Detroit on the year. He heads to Tampa Bay. 

Also heading to Tampa Bay is Seattle Mariners' 2009 first round pick is Nick Franklin, who, in 464 career major league plate appearances, is hitting a .214/.291/.358 triple-slash line with 12 home runs and 45 runs batted in. The 23-year-old is loaded with potential, but has yet to turn it into results in limited major league action. He may be provided with a better opportunity with the Rays. 

Austin Jackson, the outfielder that the Mariners have coveted this trade deadline, will be headed out to Seattle. Jackson, who is not that old himself at age 27, is hitting .270/.330/.397 with four home runs and 32 runs batted in in 416 plate appearances. He was removed from the Tigers' afternoon game against the White Sox today, and gave hugs to his team as he left the field. He is now a member of the Mariners.

Everyone got what they wanted in this deal: the Tigers got the starter they coveted, the Rays got some intriguing prospects from both teams, and the Mariners get the outfielder they have wanted this deadline season. It is good for everyone in this major blockbuster.