Chicago Cubs Should Make Major Push To Acquire David Price

David Price
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs are currently sitting in the second Wild Card spot for the National League playoff race, and are hoping to make a second half push to remain in the postseason picture. It has been quite some time since the Cubs’ franchise has had success, and they are finally seeing the results from the long rebuilding process that Theo Epstein undertook when he was originally hired. Now that they are beginning to turn things around, they are expected to be very active before the July 31st trading deadline.

It appears that the Cubs are most interested in acquiring a legitimate veteran starting pitcher to play alongside of Jon Lester. Lester was signed in free agency last offseason and has been a bit inconsistent to this point in the season. Despite the inconsistency, he has still come through with some big games as he tries to get adjusted to his new team.

At this point in time, there are a few different options that they could look at ahead of the deadline. Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels are the two biggest names that have been mentioned as potential Cubs’ targets, but James Shields and Jeff Samardzija are also potential candidates.

While all four of those players would be solid pickups, the Cubs need to make a strong push to acquire David Price from the Detroit Tigers.

Price has compiled a 9-3 record to go along with a 2.32 ERA and 4.89 K/BB ratio. Those numbers are impressive to say the least, and they are exactly what the Cubs need at the number one spot in their rotation. Lester is capable of being an ace, but he would be much better as a number two pitcher in the rotation.

There are quite a few reasons that Price would make sense in Chicago, and the first and most obvious reason is to reunite with his former manager Joe Maddon. Maddon was hired this past offseason after he left the Tampa Bay Rays, and Price had some of his best seasons with the Rays. Price loves the style of managing that Maddon has, and being able to play under him again would likely interest him in a big way.

At 29 years old, Price is entering the final years of his prime and is hoping to seal his MLB legacy. Joining a growing team like the Cubs that haven’t won a World Series in 107 years and being able to be the ace for the team that finally breaks the curse is a major draw, and is part of the reason that Lester decided to jump on board in free agency.

Playing for a team with excitement is a major draw for a veteran like Price. He wants to win at this point in his career and the Cubs can offer that chance to him, but they can also offer the youthful excitement that he would like to play around once again.

All of that being said, Price and the Cubs are a match made in heaven and could be exactly what puts the Cubs over the top. They are definitely postseason contenders this year, but would be legitimate World Series contenders if they acquired a pitcher like Price. It wouldn’t be cheap to bring him on board, but the Cubs need to do everything they can to make it happen.

Evan Massey is a featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Massey_Evan and like him on Facebook.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon