Report: Chances of Rays trading Price have 'increased' after Lester deal

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The streaking Tampa Bay Rays may deal David Price prior to the trade deadline after all, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.

Talks between the Rays and teams seeking to acquire the left-hander have intensified over the last 12 hours, writes Morosi, especially after the Boston Red Sox reportedly traded Jon Lester to the Oakland Athletics.

Many believed the Rays would hold on to Price, who enters free agency next season and is arbitration-eligible at the end of this year. The Rays are an MLB-best 17-6 in July and have won nine of 11 since the break to climb back into the vicinity of the playoff picture.

Tampa Bay sits 5 1/2 back of a Wild Card spot but remains eight games behind the division-leading Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, entering play Thursday.