Target: David Price, LHP
2013 stats: 10-8 record, 3.33 ERA, 151 strikeouts
The Texas Rangers are likely to let Matt Garza walk this winter, as he's sure to command a lot more money than the Rangers will want to spend on a guy who, for lack of better words, pretty much tanked as a big midseason acquisition this past summer.
The Rangers' rotation looks pretty good, even with Garza, heading into the 2014 season. You've got Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Martin Perez and then, most likely, Alexi Ogando. That's two right-handed pitchers and two lefties.
But what if you could acquire Price? He's under club control until the end of the 2015 season and the Rays aren't going to be able to pay the price to keep him at that point, so they might as well deal him now. The Rangers have plenty of pieces to offer, starting with the obvious in Jurickson Profar. It would also probably take another arm, maybe Holland, who's in the middle of a club-friendly deal that extends a few more years.
Price would be a definite upgrade over Holland, not because Holland is bad, but because Price is just that good.
It seems pretty evident the Rays will deal Price — that's been the thought for a couple of years now — and now it's just a matter of time. Can the Rangers make it work? Would they rather add a big bat? We'll see fairly soon.
