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.
- Role
- Starting Pitcher
- Acquisition Source
- Detroit Tigers (via trade during 2014 season)
- Key Achievement
- AL Cy Young Award (2012), 2.54 ERA
- Notable Season
- 2014 (Traded to Detroit mid-season)
Verified Timeline
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.
In Their Own Story
The trade to Detroit occurred during the 2014 season, marking a significant shift for both franchises. Prior to this move, Price had faced Derek Jeter for Jeter's 3,000th career hit on July 9, 2011. In his second start in Vero Beach as a minor leaguer, legend Pedro Martínez praised him, stating, "He's amazing... that kid is very mature for his time in [the pros], and very talented." Price had compiled an 11–0 combined record at Single-A and Double-A before his first professional loss came in Triple-A Durham. His contract value was historic; the $5.6 million signing bonus was the second-largest in draft history behind Justin Upton, while the total deal of $11.25 million included an $8.5 million guarantee.
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?
- Price earned a save in Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS just weeks after his first MLB appearance.
- 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.
Why is David Price considered important to the Rays?
As the first overall pick in 2007, Price became the face of the franchise's resurgence and delivered its first Cy Young Award. His contributions were instrumental in transforming the team from a perennial loser into a playoff contender.
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.
More in Club History & Eras
Related in Tampa Bay Rays
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Tampa Bay Rays universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record