Report: David Price to Cardinals was nearly reality
With David Price signing a seven-year, $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, the deep starting pitching free-agent market has gotten a little thinner with one of the top offseason prizes off the table.
While the St. Louis Cardinals are rarely in contention -- or wanting -- to sign the high-priced free agents, the team was reportedly all-in on obtaining Price.
According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, St. Louis offered Price what would have been the largest contract in franchise history -- a seven-year deal, like the Red Sox.
The only problem? The Cardinals' deal was for at least $30 million less than the $217 million he received from Boston.
Price, who grew up in Cardinals country in Murfreesboro, Tenn., was captivated by the Cardinals' recent postseason success and reportedly wanted to come to St. Louis. However, the Red Sox's offer was just too good to pass up.
Price's deal is worth $2 million more than the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Clayton Kershaw in 2014, which was the previous largest contract given to a pitcher. The contract is easily the most a pitcher has received in the Red Sox organization, beating out Rick Porcello's $82.5 million extension given to him earlier this year. While the Cardinals wanted to greatly boost their pitching staff with Price, who was ready to sign with the team, Boston's ante was too rich to overcome.
Price went 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays in 2015. He finished second in the AL Cy Young race behind Houston Astros ace Dallas Keuchel. Price won the award in 2012 and is a five-time All Star.
