David Price Trade

The first overall pick who earned a Game 7 save in 2008 and won the 2012 Cy Young Award before being traded to the Tigers.

David Price was selected first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He made his MLB debut in September 2008, pitching as a relief pitcher during the team's run through the 2008 playoffs where he earned a save in Game 7 of the ALCS. Price became a full-time starting pitcher in 2009 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 2012 with a league-leading 2.54 ERA. The Rays traded Price to the Detroit Tigers during the 2014 season, ending his tenure that included helping the franchise reach its first World Series.

Quick Facts

Role: Starting Pitcher
Acquisition source: Detroit Tigers (via trade during 2014 season)
Key achievement: AL Cy Young Award (2012), 2.54 ERA

Lore & Background

Price's time with Tampa Bay began in relief during the 2008 postseason, where he recorded the final four outs of Game 7 of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. Weeks after his first big league appearance, this save helped propel the Rays to their first World Series. He also pitched 2+1/3 innings in Game 2 of that World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Transitioning to a full-time starter in 2009, he collected his first regular-season win on May 30 against the Minnesota Twins with 11 strikeouts in under six innings.

By 2010, Price led the American League with a 2.31 ERA as of June 15 and was selected as the AL starter for the All-Star Game. He finished second in Cy Young voting that year behind Félix Hernández. His dominance peaked in 2012 when he went 20–5 with a league-leading 2.54 ERA, becoming the first 20-win pitcher in Rays history after getting his 20th win against the Chicago White Sox on September 30.

Reader's Guide

Fans tracking Price's path should note his rapid ascent from a McDonald's job consideration to a top prospect. He attended Vanderbilt University on an academic scholarship after being drafted by the Dodgers in the 19th round of 2004 but not signing. As a junior, he won the Dick Howser Trophy and Brooks Wallace Award, becoming the first player to sweep all major college baseball awards. His minor league journey included stints with Vero Beach, Montgomery, and Durham before his September 2008 debut against the Yankees. The Rays traded him to Detroit mid-2014. Later, when the Tigers fell out of the postseason race in 2015, they traded him to the Blue Jays, who won their division that year.

Did You Know?

He became the first player to have a clean sweep of all major college baseball awards in 2007.
In his minor league debut, he struck out three batters and hit the first batter he faced in one inning.
His $5.6 million signing bonus was the second-largest in draft history at the time.
He threw a complete-game shutout against the Los Angeles Angels on April 24, 2012.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the David Price trade in Rays history?

The trade refers to the 2014 transaction where the Tampa Bay Rays sent ace starting pitcher David Price to the Detroit Tigers. This move ended his tenure with the franchise after he had established himself as one of the league's premier arms.

What was David Price's role before being traded?

Price served as the Rays' primary starting pitcher, having evolved from a reliever who saved Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS into a dominant ace. His performance peaked in 2012 when he won the American League Cy Young Award with a league-leading 2.54 ERA.

When did the Rays trade David Price?

The trade occurred during the 2014 season, marking a significant mid-year departure for the organization. It concluded a chapter in which Price helped lead the team to its first World Series appearance.

How did David Price's time with the Rays end?

His tenure concluded when the Rays traded him to the Detroit Tigers in 2014, ending his six-year stint with the club. This departure followed his historic 2012 season and his pivotal role in the team's 2008 playoff run.