Gary Sheffield, Jr
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.”
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) February 20, 2021
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
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…
Unless Price is stellar out of the pen, or pitches an all star opening half, I don’t believe he will factor heavily in this years rotation, and may be employed elsewhere to finish the season.
His postseason career has been similar to Kershaw’s, with regular season success dominating his legacy. He hasn’t had many good playoff runs in a dozen seasons.
There’s so much young talent still being groomed, and far too many vets that have been on the team for a long time, for Price to waltz in after an opt out. The roster is stacked with hunger. I doubt Price is very hungry.
He’ll need to perform or he’ll be traded. The Dodgers will be making at least one move at the deadline.
#ThinkBlue
Opted out due to covid what a pussy just stay gone bro don’t need you
Holy crap. Forgot about price. Dodgers should be prohibitive favorite. Starting rotation better then the combined best nc central NL rotation. Not cool
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Too little, too late… coronabros relegated to middle relief….