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• Eighth consecutive NL West title. ✓
• Number-1 seed for National League postseason tournament. ✓
• Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy are hitting. ✓
• Justin Turner is back in the lineup. ✓
• Walker Buehler is blister-free, healthy, dominant, and ready for postseason play. ✓
• Mookie Betts and Corey Seager are NL MVP candidates. ✓
• Rookie pitchers Tony Gonsolin, Victor Gonzalez, Brusdar Graterol, and Dustin May worthy of ROY consideration. ✓

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The 2020 cardboard season for the Dodgers has been outstanding, but there has been a missing link since Summer Camp began; a player who would be most welcome as the team prepares for the postseason tournament – veteran left-handed starting pitcher David Price.

Price and Betts were acquired by the Dodgers on February 10, 2020, in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo, middle infield prospect Jeter Downs, and minor league catcher/infielder Connor Wong. Of course, the centerpiece of the trade was Betts, who the Dodgers subsequently signed to a lofty 12-year/$365 million contract extension on July 22, 2020, but Price was much more than a throw-in for the Dodgers, who needed to replace three veteran starting pitchers who were no longer with the team: Hyun Jin Ryu (signed with Toronto); Kenta Maeda (traded to Minnesota); and free agent Rich Hill.

The Dodgers had highly-regarded young pitchers Buehler, Gonsolin, Josiah Gray, May, and Julio Urias and received Graterol from the Twins in return for Maeda. But Price was the veteran with twelve years of Major League experience, including 23 pitching appearances (14 starts) in the postseason. His presence on the mound was needed, as was his leadership in the clubhouse.

Then the global pandemic threw a screwball to Price, the Dodgers, and the world.

On July 4, 2020, Price announced that he was opting out of the season:

After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season. I will miss my teammates and will be cheering for them throughout the season and on to a World Series victory. I’m sorry I won’t be playing for you this year, but look forward to representing you next year

Stay safe, be well, and be kind. And Go Dodgers!

Love,

David Price

It is commendable that Price put family first during the ongoing health crisis. But there is no doubt that he has been missed this season; both his pitching and his leadership. And his post season experience would have been so valuable in the upcoming tournament.

He is the Dodgers missing – but not forgotten – link.

Right back at ya David. Stay safe, be well, and be kind. Looking forward to seeing you pitch next year.

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