In what was certainly the most surprising news coming out of the Dodgers camp on Saturday, lefty pitcher David Price revealed that he would be sitting out the entirety of the shortened 2020 MLB season.
“After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season,” Price said via Twitter on Saturday afternoon.
He continued, “I will miss my teammates and will be cheering for them throughout the season and on to a World Series victory. I’m sorry I won’t be playing for you this year, but look forward to representing you next year.”
Price came to the Dodgers from Boston with outfielder Mookie Betts in the biggest blockbuster deal of the winter. Once all the smoke settled on the trade, the Dodgers sent outfielder Alex Verdugo, catching prospect Connor Wong and infield prospect Jeter Downs back to the Red Sox.
The 34-year-old Price was a two-time Cy Young runner-up and was the 2012 American League winner. He was also the runner-up for the World Series MVP when the Red Sox beat the Dodgers in 2018 after their franchise-record 108 regular-season victories.
The 2020 season would have marked Price’s first year pitching in the National League.
Conceivably, many thought that Price would slide into the 2020 Los Angeles rotation somewhere between Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias and Alex Wood. While the absence of Price will certainly be felt, it will not be a huge blow, considering that Ross Stripling, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, or Jimmy Nelson could theoretically slide into Price’s vacancy with relative ease.
Bill Plunkett of the OC Register indicated that Price has two children under the age of four. Plunkett further explained that Price is not believed to be in a high-risk category for exposure to COVID-19. If that is true, Price’s decision not to play means he will forfeit his 2020 salary, potentially about $11.85 million if MLB is able to play a 60-game regular season as planned.
The Dodgers released an official statement to the media on Saturday saying, “The Dodgers fully support David’s decision to sit out the 2020 season. We have been in constant contact with David and we understand how much this deliberation weighed on him and his family. We know he’ll be rooting hard for the club every day and look forward to having him back with us in 2021.”
After the 2020 season, Price still has two additional years remaining on his contract.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
This is no real loss and I’d argue this may actually be a net positive for the Dodgers. This allows Stripling or Dustin May to get a rotation spot, either are more than deserving. If I had to make the call right now I think I’d want Stripling in there over May just based on experience in a short season and Stripling could let it fly each time out without worrying about wearing down at the end of the year.
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Interestingly, the team has not announced who is in camp, so we may have others joining Price on the sidelines. Pollock, for one, has been said to be weighing his decision very heavily and with Price opting out, he may find it easier to do the same now.
I’ve seen video of Kersh, JT, Fergie and Mookie but we may be hearing other names in the near future of guys who decide to sit out 2020. If we aren’t talking about the guys who have underlying conditions, the more likely guys to sit out are the ones like Price and Pollock who have already earned plenty in their careers.
Haven’t heard anything about Kenley, Treinen or Graterol being in camp. Maybe that had something to do with their deciding to sign AJ Ramos. Never know when you might need a closer
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Kershaw
Buehler
Urias
Wood
Stripling
Kenley
Baez
Kelly
Treinen
Alexander
Kolarek
Floro
Ferguson
Graterol
Nelson
As of now I’m leaving May and Gonsolin off and keeping Nelson since he has no options.
C: Smith
1B: Muncy
2B: Lux
SS: Seager
3B: Turner
LF: Pollock
Cf: Bellinger
RF: Betts
DH: Joc
Bench: Barnes, Kike’, CT3, Beaty, Rios, Keibert Ruiz
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Pretty strong team you’ve got their Alex but we still don’t know how many other guys might opt out.
I expect to see AJ Ramos on the staff opening day, probably replacing either Kolarek or Floro.
I also don’t expect to see Kaybear on the opening day roster. I just don’t think he’s ready for MLB at bats yet (although I’d be happy to be proven wrong). Maybe McKinstry replaces him on your list or maybe AF picks up another veteran catcher before opening day. Not sure how the taxi squad works but if that is over and above the 30 man roster, I could see Ruiz put on that list.
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That’s just my best guess but Ramos will most likely be on the roster I think you’re right. With 30 players I just think it’s a certainty they carry 3 catchers and right now it’s either Keibert or Rocky Gale and I’m going to say they would rather have Keibert’s bat on the bench over Gale’s experience and defense. This also allows Keibert to get his feet wet in the show and see what it’s like without having and pressure on him at all.
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I think it would make even more sense to bring Russell Martin back as the 3rd catcher.
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I was just thinking the same thing. I know he enjoyed himself here last year and it certainly wouldn’t cost the team a lot to sign him. They could use a little of Price’s salary.
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Forget catcher. Make him long man out of the bullpen. I know JT told a few reporters last week that he’d like to have him back.
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King Felix opts out of the season. He was trying to hook up with the Braves. Maybe Pollock goes that route too. No big loss, let the kids play. Turner down with the piping in of crowd noise. Says it is better than no noise at all. Disturbing video on twitter of some kids stomping on the American Flag. Disturbing simply because no one was trying to stop them. They would never pull that crap in front of me. This country has gone into the sewer.
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