Jays reel in Price-y ace

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired All-Star left-hander David Price from the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, the second major move in less than a week by MLB's lone Canadian club as it chases its first postseason appearance since 1993.

After obtaining slugging shortstop Troy Tulowitzki from Colorado on Monday, the Blue Jays shored up their rotation by adding Price, the top starting pitcher on the market.

"These types of players, the great superstar players, rarely become available," Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "We think we're a good team and adding a guy like Price we think makes us that much stronger and will give us a chance to win. It's as simple as that."

The Blue Jays sent left-handers Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt to the Tigers in the deal. Price can become a free agent after this season.

Later on Thursday, Detroit dealt closer Joakim Soria to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league infielder JaCoby Jones.

Speaking in the Detroit clubhouse before the Tigers faced the Orioles in Baltimore, Price was excited about joining a contender - even if he did refer to the Blue Jays as "they" instead of "we."

"They've got a good thing going on right now in Toronto," he said. "They've kind of been in this situation before and didn't make these type of moves. It definitely shows that they want to win right now. You have to respect that. You have to like it and that's what you want to be a part of."

Toronto has scored more runs than any other team in the major leagues but still had a .500 record heading into Thursday night's game against the Royals.

The Blue Jays trailed Minn-esota by two games for the AL's second wild card and were seven behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees.

Now, however, the Blue Jays appear ripe to make a run.

"By adding these two, it gives me a shot in the arm. I know that," said Toronto manager John Gibbons.

Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson said: "You look around the clubhouse, you see a lot of All-Stars. It feels like you're playing fantasy baseball."

Price was traded at the deadline for the second straight year. He went from Tampa Bay to Detroit in a three-team blockbuster last July - one of several bold moves the Tigers have made over the last few seasons while winning four straight AL Central titles.

Although the Tigers were only 3 1/2 games behind a wild card berth, they were in fourth place in their division entering Thursday's game at Baltimore.

This deal was made with an eye toward the future. Detroit could be a contender again in 2016, but the coming days, weeks and months will probably include plenty of changes.

"When you lose a pitcher like David Price, you don't generally think you're getting better," Ausmus said, adding he could only hope the deal would not have a lasting negative effect in the Detroit clubhouse.

"I'm sure the guys aren't happy that we're losing David Price. Who would be?" he said. "It will probably sting for a few days, but (they'll) get past it."

Less than three hours later, Soria was packing his bags.

Toronto hasn't played in the postseason since Joe Carter's home run won the 1993 World Series against Philadelphia - the longest postseason drought in the major leagues.

(China Daily 08/01/2015 page12)