David Price is one of the top free agents on the 2015 MLB Free Agency market and the Chicago Cubs are reportedly his first choice to sign with when the market opens up.
Being able to sign Price would be a massive pickup for the Cubs, as they are still in need of an ace. Jon Lester was signed to a six-year, $155 million contract last offseason, but is closer to being a second or third option in the rotation. Jake Arrieta ended up being the ace for the Cubs this past season, but there is no guarantee that he will be back to that level in 2016.
Last season split between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays, Price ended up compiling an 18-5 record to go along with a 2.45 ERA and a 4.79 K/BB ratio. Those numbers show just how dominant he was last year and why the Cubs would take a huge boost forward by bringing him on board.
At 30 years old, Price still has a lot of good baseball left in him and could be a big piece of the Cubs making a run at a World Series win.
According to a report, Price views the Cubs as his top option in free agency. That alone should excite the Cubs' fan base and get them ready to make an even deeper run in the postseason next year. Price would be the guy that could take the pressure off of the rest of the pitching staff in the key games.
Joe Maddon being the manager could have a lot to do with Price's interest. He manged Price during their tenure with the Tampa Bay Rays and would fit very well with his former manager.
If the Cubs do end up signing him, it will likely cost them around $200 million for the whole contract. That type of money is well worth being spent on a pitcher like Price if the team really wants to contend for a World Series.
There are plenty of other teams that will be trying to sign Price, especially the Toronto Blue Jays who he ended the season with. They spent a lot to bring him on board at the trade deadline and have the money to bring him back. Price would likely be interested in returning to Toronto, but it sounds like the Cubs are higher on his priority list.
All of that being said, expect to see the Cubs be very much in the game for Price and don't be surprised if he ends up signing with Chicago and helping them reach their ultimate goal of breaking the curse.
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