Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price opted out of the final year of his contract and filed for arbitration, reports Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune. Price, who started a major-league-leading 34 games for the Rays in 2011, was set to earn $2.4 million next season, but will leave that money on the table in hopes of landing a bigger deal.

He's certain to do so. Though he tallied just a 12-13 record in 2011, the 26-year-old is only one year removed from going 19-6 with a 2.72 earned run average and starting for the American League in the All-Star Game.

Price has started 89 of his 94 appearances as a Ray, compiling a 41-26 record with a 3.38 earned run average, the best in Tampa Bay franchise history.

An arbitrator will rule on Price's salary in the months ahead. Price will submit one salary figure which he thinks is fair, while the Rays will submit another. The arbitrator will then choose between the two figures.