David Price could be too costly for Rays

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price is set to be a rich man one day. Maybe too rich for the Rays' blood, in fact.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes that Price wants to stay in Tampa Bay, but when it comes down to it, the Rays might not be able to afford the 2012 American League Cy Young winner:

Price, 27, has said repeatedly he would love to stay, and agent Bo McKinnis has said that while "it becomes increasingly difficult" at this stage of Price's career, "it's not too late."

But, McKinnis also suggested, it's going to take quite some creativity. And lots of money.

Price, McKinnis noted, is driven to be the best in everything from pitching to golf to video games to Twitter.

"So in a similar sense," McKinnis said, "he wants to have the best contract in baseball, however that may be defined. He expects to be the best in everything that he does. So hopefully we're able to make that marriage between the Rays and that best contract. But we also recognize the economics of the game may not allow that."

A big stumbling block for Price, though, is Tampa Bay committing $100 million to third baseman Evan Longoria from 2017 through 2022.

Price won his first Cy Young award last season. He finished the year 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 211 innings pitched. He struck out 205 and walked 59. It was the first time he's won 20 games in one season.

In his four-plus years in MLB with the Rays, Price has compiled a 3.16 ERA with a .663 winning percentage. He's started at least 31 games in his last three seasons.