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Why the Price is Right for the Toronto Blue Jays

By Chris Okrainetz

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Why the Price is Right for the Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has done it again.

According to numerous reports, the Detroit Tigers have traded David Price to the Toronto Blue Jays for left-handed pitching prospects Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Before I get into why David Price is worth the risk for the Blue Jays, just think about this for a second: in less than a year, Alex Anthopoulos has acquired Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, and now David Price.

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Most people couldn’t even trade for those three players in fantasy baseball, let alone the pressure cooker of the MLB. So first and foremost, you have to tip your hat to Anthopoulos and his relentless work ethic to change not only this roster, but the entire culture of an organization.

As for David Price; yes, he’s technically a “rental” player, but he’s well worth it.

In 21 starts this season, the 29-year-old southpaw has a 9-4 record with a 2.53 ERA and 138 strikeouts. But this isn’t just a good year for Price, though. His track record speaks for itself, as he’s a five-time All-Star, an AL Cy Young Award winner, and ranks among the top five pitchers for strikeouts over the last five seasons with 983.

Performance wise, he’s as good as they come. Heck, he might as well own the Rogers Centre, where he boasts a sparkling 7-0 record, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

We could rave for hours about Price’s resume, it’s really that good. But the reason why this trade is more than worth it for the Blue Jays is because of the effect it will have off the field.

Acquiring players like Tulowitzki and Price without having to drastically alter your core is a colossal confidence boost to the clubhouse. Yes, they did part ways with promising prospects like Jeff Hoffman and Daniel Norris, but for the most part, we have no idea how either player is going to pan out. With Tulo and Price, we know what we’re getting.

Aug 10, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

But think about this from the perspective of the Jays’ clubhouse.

In less than a week, your team has acquired not only two All-Stars, but two of the best players in the entire league. Meanwhile, aside from Jose Reyes, the clubhouse remains largely intact. Basically, the front office has added elite players and said to the roster, we believe in you guys, so go prove us right.

If that doesn’t inject some life into the clubhouse, I don’t know what will. Remember, it wasn’t too long ago that the Jays were being criticized for having a “fractured locker room”. One where young up-and-comers like J.P. Arencibia and Brett Lawrie were dubbed the future, while players like Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion were expected to do the rest.

Clearly, that didn’t work out. But now with players like Price in the mix, the Jays can turn to somebody who has done this before. Additionally, players like Russell Martin, Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki are true leaders, which can’t be discredited.

Players like Price and Tulo are flat-out winners too. Dating back to their days in college at Vanderbilt and Long Beach State, both players have done nothing but win. They’ve endured endured some hardship in the show, but for the most part, they’re a pair of ultra-competitive winners that have the kind of pedigree that should be contagious.

Also, the Jays acquired Price over the likes of the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants. When was the last time you heard that? So if you’re a player sitting in the clubhouse at 1 Blue Jays Way, how are you not excited right now?

No matter which way you look at it, this move should inject a ton of life into the Blue Jays. Not only has the roster changed talent wise, it has also changed culturally and you can’t put a price tag on that.

Hopefully it’s enough to propel this team into the playoffs and put an end to the longest playoff drought in baseball.

Next: 4 Things Blue Jays Fans Should Consider About the Tulowitzki Deal

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