Detroit Tigers acquire pitcher David Price in three-way trade
By William Lewis
In MLB Betting news, it was no secret that the Detroit Tigers were looking for a good left-handed pitcher before the MLB non-waiver trade deadline on July 31. The Tigers sent left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly to the Rays and shipped center fielder Austin Jackson over to Seattle. Willy Adames, a Class A shortstop in the Tigers system will also be heading to Tampa in the deal.
The trade took place during the afternoon while the Tigers were in action against the Chicago White Sox. In an odd scene, Jackson was removed from his position in center field in the seventh inning right in the middle of an at bat. The Tigers now possess one of the strongest pitching staffs in the Major Leagues. The last three AL Cy Young award winners are now in the starting rotation in Price, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer. The team also boasts the last three AL MVP award winners in two-time winner Miguel Cabrera and Verlander.
Most Detroit fans believed the club was going to add a relief pitcher before the trade deadline, but they found out the asking prices were too high. They felt the cost for obtaining the 28-year-old Price was reasonable and pulled the trigger on the deal. Price leads the league with 189 strikeouts so far this season in 170 and 2/3 innings. He also has an ERA of 3.11 this campaign and has a career ERA of 3.18. Price has one more season to go before becoming eligible for free agency and he gives the Tigers some backup insurance if Scherzer happens to leave as a free agent after the season.
The Tigers will miss the 27-year-old Jackson and his hustle. He joined the squad back in 2009 and helped the Tigers capture three straight AL Central championships. The fans appreciated his fine defensive skills in the outfield as well as his expertise at the plate as the team’s leadoff hitter. He leaves the Tigers with a .270 batting average on the season along with his on-base percentage of .330. He also had four homers, 32 RBIs, five triples and 25 doubles and will be a free agent at the end of the 2015 season.
The 25-year-old left-handed Smyly had a 6-9 record with the Tigers this year in 20 games as well as a 3.77 ERA. He started 17 contests and pitched out of the bullpen on three occasions. The 18-year-old Adames of the Dominican republic was ranked the third-best prospect in the Tigers organization this year. He was playing with West Michigan in the Midwest League and had a .269 batting average with six homers and 50 RBIs. The Tigers originally acquired him two years ago.
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