DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with left-handed starting pitcher David Price Friday by agreeing to a $19.75 million deal for the 2015 season, according to Jon Heyman.
Price, who made $14 million with the Rays and Tigers in 2014, is eligible to become a free agent after the 2015 season.
The 2012 Cy Young Award winner finished sixth in the voting last season after posting a 15-12 record and 3.26 ERA. He led the AL in strikeouts with 271 and innings pitched with 248.1.
In his only postseason appearance with Detroit, he allowed two earned runs in eight innings, losing to a two-run shot that landed just over the fence off the bat of Baltimore's Nelson Cruz. The loss eliminated the Tigers from the playoffs.
The $19.75 mark is the most money ever given to a player during the arbitration process.
Detroit has also reportedly avoided arbitration with newly-acquired pitcher Alfredo Simon. The Tigers will pay Simon $5.55 million for the 2015 season.
Al Alburquerque and J.D. Martinez are also eligible for arbitration this month in Detroit.
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