David Price Is Back And Ready To Help Dodgers After 2020 Opt-Out

As if the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers needed any help–David Price is back. After opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID, Price is as motivated as ever to push the Dodgers to all-time greatness.

“Whenever Julio threw that strike three, that really felt like it kind of lifted a weight off my chest.”

Opting out last year was the toughest decision David Price said he’s ever had to make. After a year watching games on TV, he makes his return. https://t.co/tRlfjaUCbr

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) February 20, 2021

Price was asked about his ability to knock off the rust after not pitching for 580 days.

“To me, that’s what you use spring training for,” Price said via Skype. “You really can’t simulate that game action until you get in there. Even when I’m playing year to year, those first couple spring training outings, they feel brand new. You’re out there feeling for things that make you tick, so that’s what I’ll be doing. Everything feels really good right now.”

For a 35-year-old pitcher, “feeling good” is probably the most crucial quality he’s got going for him. He’s now on the back half of a seven-year, $217 million contract, so it makes sense why he ultimately punted on the season. There’s no need to take any health risks when your salary regularly eclipses $30 million.

According to Price, he also didn’t miss any games.

“I was tuned into all of them,” he said.

Well, I sure hope so, David. If my job paid me a quarter of a billion dollars, I think I would have an itch to stick around and observe operations, too. Not that opting out was a crime, but watching the games is the least he could do.

Health is going to be a priority in L.A.

The Dodgers likely know that if they stroll into the 2021 postseason healthy, the rest of baseball is doomed. Challengers like the crosstown San Diego Padres will always have a puncher’s chance, but their rosters still won’t stack up.

Don’t believe it? The Dodgers won last year’s World Series and have since added two pitchers who will get paid a combined $73 million this upcoming season. That is absolutely absurd.

Even if David Price needs time to get his body right, the Dodgers can afford to wait. If Price comes around by June and makes a couple spot starts for an ailing Walker Buehler or Trevor Bauer, then it’s a win for this team. Just a year ago, we were trolling the Dodgers, and now look at us…