The following is from the Rays web site, good reading. More to come later.
No easy answer exists to the biggest question in the Rays' camp this spring. Based on what Tampa Bay's top prospect showed last year, it's hard to imagine that this is even a question.
At the end of the 2008 postseason, the more prevalent question was directed to whether Price, 23, would be the team's closer based on the composed way he pitched once the going got hot.
Particularly memorable from Price's stellar postseason was his outing against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Boston was threatening when he entered the game in the eighth inning to face J.D. Drew with two outs and the bases loaded. Price delivered an 89-mph slider on the outside part of the plate for strike one, which led to an inning-ending strikeout. He then got the final three outs in the ninth to preserve the win, earn a save and propel the Rays to their first World Series.
The talented left-hander went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 2 1/3 innings in three ALCS appearances, claiming the win in Game 2, and he went 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two World Series appearances.
Price has since been anointed a starter, but he has not been guaranteed a spot in the rotation. Other candidates to claim the No. 5 spot in the rotation this spring include Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot. And other factors exist beyond Price's talents that could ultimately affect Tampa Bay's decision.
Front and center is the business of baseball
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