Boston Red Sox: Potential Free Agent Starting Pitchers

Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

David Price is the crown jewel of the off season free agent pitching market. the six-foot-six lefty is still in his prime at 30 years old. Price is not a National League pitcher having to transition to small ballparks and the designated hitter In fact, he spent his first six plus seasons at Tampa Bay in the American League East and was traded to Toronto this past summer.

Remember, it was Dave Dombrowski who was in Detroit when the Tigers swung the deal for Price and then traded him away last summer and is well acquainted with Price. To be clear, Price is going to go to whatever team meets his exorbitant price tag in free agency. However, having done his research on Price prior to making the trade in 2014, Dombrowski is well acquainted with the flame-throwing lefty.

Price has a career 104-56 record over seven full seasons (he started just one game in 2008) and has a career 3.09 ERA and 1,372 strikeouts in 1,441 innings. Where Price receives the most criticism is for his postseason performances. After pitching out of the bullpen and giving up on run in 5 ⅔ innings in 2008 with a win and save (against the Red Sox), he is just 1-7 since in 9 starts.

Regardless of the postseason record, Price is legitimate ace and has no fear of pitching in the American League East. Outside of Jon Lester (still hard to believe Boston let him get away) there is not a better fit at the top of the rotation in Fenway Park.

Price is likely to get a contract that will make him the highest paid pitcher of all time, but he will be worth the cost over the next four or five seasons. The question becomes whether they will engage in the bidding war for Price that will ensue this offseason.

Next: Another True Ace