Although 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts was understandably the headliner of a trade with the Boston Red Sox prior to the start of Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers were equally excited to add David Price to a rotation led by Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.
Price threw off the mound in bullpen sessions and live batting practice at Camelback Ranch and made two Cactus League starts, that wound up being the extent of his work in a Dodgers uniform this year.
Once MLB implemented plans for an abbreviated season amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Price exercised the option players had to opt out. He cited doing so in the best interest of his family, which the Dodgers unequivocally supported.
Now as the pandemic rages and MLB faces some uncertainty with the format and length of a 2021 season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts conceded he could not definitively state Price would be with the team next year.
“I think David is very in tune with what’s going on, very intelligent, so I don’t know,” Roberts said. “I just love being around him and I know we’re better when he’s with us. But as things become more clear, David will make a choice for him and his family.”
Price has previously alluded to likely returning next season and most recently did so in a social media response.
👊🏽 that’s the plan!
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) December 17, 2020
It’s unclear if MLB and the Players Association will have to negotiate an opt-out clause similar to what was in place for the 2020 season. Though, in Price’s case, he forfeited salary due to not being part of a high-risk case.
Keeping in contact with Dodgers
What Price lacked in physically being present with the team this year, he made up for by staying connected via the team’s group chat. The veteran lefty additionally remained in touch with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and Roberts, sharing any insight he could pick up while watching from home.
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