But what are the odds that the results are not 100% conclusive, so they try rest and rehab for a couple of months, instead of Price going under the knife tomorrow? What if he bounces back somewhat, feels better, then blows out his elbow in July?
I think it's far more likely that if he has significant elbow problems, the Sox are on the hook for the full contract, and that they'll effectively lose 2 full seasons of Price through postponing surgery, rehab, and Price finding his groove again.
Though there's a zeroish chance if he's injured and requires TJ surgery, that he might opt out anyway, sign a one year "show me" contract, and hit the FA market on the strength of that one year rebound. Um. Nah, make that a "zero chance."