I think the last pitch Price throws this year will be the last one he throws for the Sox.
If I were Price, and I hated Boston as much as he seems to, I would play the year out -- since I'm on a first-place team with Chris Sale anchoring the staff and that team has a chance to win -- and then have Tommy John immediately after the year ends. He obviously has elbow damage, and I don't think the Sox could prevent him from having the surgery, even if he able to pitch through it this year.
Then Price can spend 2018 rehabbing, away from big, bad, mean Boston, and if his rehab is going great, opt out after the season, throw for teams to show he's healthy, and get a new deal. If rehab isn't going great, he's stay with the Sox and he still has $120 million coming to you over the next four years. There's nothing for him to lose.
I don't think other teams will want to sign an opting-out Price after the 2018 season knowing he's probably going to need Tommy John at some point. If he's already had it, that makes him more attractive.
If I were Price, and I hated Boston as much as he seems to, I would play the year out -- since I'm on a first-place team with Chris Sale anchoring the staff and that team has a chance to win -- and then have Tommy John immediately after the year ends. He obviously has elbow damage, and I don't think the Sox could prevent him from having the surgery, even if he able to pitch through it this year.
Then Price can spend 2018 rehabbing, away from big, bad, mean Boston, and if his rehab is going great, opt out after the season, throw for teams to show he's healthy, and get a new deal. If rehab isn't going great, he's stay with the Sox and he still has $120 million coming to you over the next four years. There's nothing for him to lose.
I don't think other teams will want to sign an opting-out Price after the 2018 season knowing he's probably going to need Tommy John at some point. If he's already had it, that makes him more attractive.