David Price had tough adjustment from Tampa Bay to Detroit following trade
Following months of speculation, David Price was finally dealt by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Detroit Tigers in late July. While the former Cy Young winner moved to a contender, he admitted the transition wasn't a seamless one at first.
"I spent my entire professional career with one organization and a pretty big group of teammates, and to just move on from there to a new team, city and fan base is tough to do when I put everything I have into my teammates," Price told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "I felt like I was drafted all over again and was a rookie."
Selected first overall by the Rays in 2007, Price spent seven seasons in Tampa Bay - amassing a 82-47 record and four All-Star appearances. However, with Price set to hit free agency following the 2015 season and the tight-spending Rays out of the postseason picture, the ace of Tampa's rotation became expendable.
Price's performance on the mound in Detroit exemplified his struggles adjusting. In the 11 starts prior to the trade, Price posted a 7-4 record and 1.98 ERA in 86 1/3 innings. He even boasted that he was pitching at the highest level he's ever experienced. In 11 starts following the trade, Price was 4-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 77 2/3 innings and featured what he labeled as 'probably the worst game he's ever had in his life' - allowing eight runs off 12 hits in two innings against the New York Yankees in late August.
Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski also acknowledged that his pitcher had a tough time getting acclimated to his new surroundings, but claimed that things got much better as time passed.
"Anytime you're traded in the middle of a season when you've been somewhere else for a long time, of course it's an adjustment," Dombrowski said. "He did a fine job for us, and he's a tremendous person.
"At the end, he fit in well with the club."
While he never wanted to leave Tampa, Price did say he enjoyed his time with the Tigers.
"It was special," Price told Chris Iott of Michigan Live, of his time so far in Detroit. "It wasn't something that I wished would happen, just being traded in general, but being traded to this team and this organization, it's been a blessing. The way that the front office, Dave (Dombrowski) included, all the guys in the clubhouse, my teammates, they treated me in extremely well, both in the clubhouse and on the field. So that's all I can ask."
Disappointed following a three-game sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series, Price said the thought of an extension is the last thing on his mind right now.