Red Sox seek correct salary to prospects ratio for David Price trade

The Red Sox want to receive prospects to trade David Price, but they will likely have to eat salary in order to deal the lefty – what is the correct ratio?

Rumors have slowed regarding the Red Sox trading David Price. Teams that formerly were in the market for a left-handed starting pitcher have exited. Teams thought there were better options on the free agent market as the Blue Jays signed Hyun-jin Ryu and the White Sox signed Dallas Keuchel.

Peter Gammons reported that the Red Sox want prospects. Asking for prospects is fine, but Boston would have to absorb more of Price’s contract. Either way, this shows that the other teams believe Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox are being unreasonable and are not viable trade partners.

If they really want to move Price’s contract, a better ratio has to be found. Either eat less money and receive lesser prospects or grab a top prospect or two, but eat more of Price’s remaining $96 million. This puts Bloom in an interesting position, does he try to cut the payroll as much as possible or try to rebuild the farm system?

A larger market would present itself if the Red Sox are interested in eating more money. Not many teams have a large enough budget to pay one player $96 million over three years. That would be half of the Rays payroll!

Nonetheless, many teams have a desirable prospect or two. Even the Red Sox have a few stars in their farm system. If Boston can swap Price for an upper-level prospect and eat about $30-40 million of his remaining $96 million, many teams would be interested. The Twins, Angels, and Phillies all may be enticed as it would not be as large of a salary commitment.

Another route the Red Sox could go is to deal the 2012 Cy Young award winner for nothing and eat next to none of his contract. With starters such as Stephen Strasburg, Madison Bumgarner, and Zack Wheeler all signing massive contracts, Price’s doesn’t look as bad as it once did.

Moving the lefty may be much easier now as his contract is much more similar to market value as opposed to four years ago. Teams with larger payrolls that want to hold on to their prospects may see this as a more desirable route. Teams like the Dodgers and Cardinals could see this as a fit as they would be able to hold onto their top prospects.

Overall, the Red Sox can stick their feet into both pools – either eating some of Price’s contract or handing it all off to another team. If they field offers from both sides, they can then evaluate which direction will be best for the club.

If a top prospect is desired, Boston will have to eat about $35 million. If no prospects are acquired, then the Red Sox will have to give no money in return. Either way, the correct ratio will need to be found otherwise teams will simply go down other avenues to upgrade their starting rotations.