This Angels-Red Sox Trade Involving David Price Could Actually Work

Boston Red Sox starter David Price, who posted a 4.28 ERA in an injury-riddled 2019, could be traded this offseason as the Red Sox seek to shed payroll, and the Los Angeles Angels are among the most suitable destinations for the left-hander.

So let's take a look at how this can become a reality for the Halos.

David Price Contract

Price will be paid $32 million for the next three seasons before he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the age of 37. That comes down to a three-year, $96 million deal.

David Price Rumors

The Angels aren't the only team that's in on price, as the Chicago White Sox are looking for a frontline ace to pair with Lucas Giolito while the Cardinals are looking to add to the top of their rotation. Let's also not rule out the Dodgers, who failed to land big ticket free agents this offseason.

What an Angels-Red Sox Trade for Price Would Look Like

The Angels are in a unique spot as far as Price trade talks go, as they have a desperate need for pitching at the MLB level, but don't have tons of prospects to facilitate a trade, as top slugger Jo Adell is almost assuredly off limits.

With Andrew Heaney, Griffin Canning, and Dylan Bundy making up their shambolic top of the rotation, top prospect Patrick Sandoval, a lefty who sits in the mid 90s, could be on the move in a Price trade.

With Sandoval gone and Adell off limits, the Angels could dive deeper into their farm system, as outfielders Brandon Marsh and Jordyn Adams, shortstop Kyren Paris, second baseman Jahmai Jones and righty Jose Soriano all stand out as potential trade chips.

The good news is that the Red Sox won't be commanding a whole lot in a return for Price given his track record in Boston (3.84 ERA since 2016, which isn't exactly ace material).

In that case, if we're going to take a stab at it, the Sox will likely want a top pitching prospect in exchange for Price, and that's all they'll be able to command given his contract and recent play. Or perhaps the Sox want an outfielder given the uncertainty surrounding Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. In that case, expect to see a one-for-one swap of either Marsh, Adams, Sandoval or Soriano straight up for Price.

The Angels may not have a ton to offer Boston for Price, but given their aggressiveness in signing Anthony Rendon and Shohei Ohtani coupled with the fact the Red Sox don't exactly have a ton of leverage, this could work in LA's favor.