Report: Blue Jays, Red Sox have discussed David Price trade

The Boston Red Sox are aiming to dump some salary this offseason, which could lead to one player returning to a team where he had a brief, but memorable tenure.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Red Sox have engaged in talks with the Toronto Blue Jays about a potential David Price trade. The Red Sox are also discussing Price with other teams, and Boston would have to take on much of his remaining $96 million salary to facilitate a deal.

The Blue Jays represent a very interesting option. They clearly want a starter, and there is familiarity with Price, who briefly played there during the team’s run to the ALCS in 2015. Though he was only there for three months, by all accounts, Price liked his time in Toronto.

Price is not the same pitcher as he was during his prime. He was bothered by injuries last year and posted a 4.28 ERA in 22 starts, but that was the first year since 2009 his ERA rose above four. Despite those numbers, there is wide-ranging interest in Price, whose pedigree will intrigue teams, as will the fact that Boston will likely be paying the bulk of his salary.