KEY POINTS

  • Hyun-Jin Ryu has signed for the Blue Jays
  • The Red Sox are still trying to move David Price's bloated contract and had been in contact with the Jays about the pitcher
  • That leaves one fewer team to trade for Price, limiting not only the market but also Boston's options

The Toronto Blue Jays got their man Sunday after Hyun-Jin Ryu agreed on terms to join the AL East team and his signing will affect a divisional rival in the Boston Red Sox as they continue to try to move the large contract of David Price.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that before the deal got done the Blue Jays were speaking with the Red Sox about a possible trade for Price. However, they solved their rotation needs with Ryu’s four-year $80 million contract.

His deal has two effects. First, it limits the trade market for David Price as there is now one fewer landing spot for the lefty. Second, it further limits a now-dwindling free agent pitcher market especially after the Chicago White Sox landed Dallas Keuchel.

David Price, Boston Red Sox
David Price is tied for fourth with a $30,000,000 base salary for the 2018 MLB season. Bob Levey/Getty Images

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports that the Jays were one of at least six teams who were speaking with Boston about Price. That list also includes the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins and he also mentions one mystery team.

It is very conceivable that one of these other teams will be willing to take a chance on Price. The free agent market now boasts the likes of Homer Bailey, Ivan Nova, Andrew Cashner and Jason Vargas, none of which are of the same caliber as the one-time Tampa Bay Ray.

However, Price still has three years and $96 million remaining on his one-time record-breaking contract and Boston will surely have to eat some of it to move the southpaw. It is vital for the organization to do so as its 2020 payroll is well above the luxury tax threshold of $208 million.

On the other hand, the fact that so few teams are still in for Price could mean that those clubs who may take on his massive contract could potentially look elsewhere, leaving only the smaller-market teams. The Red Sox would then have to eat even more of Price’s salary than if he would land someplace like the Angels or Dodgers.

One thing is certain, however. The Toronto Blue Jays have affected the market for Price by inking Ryu to a contract.

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