Effectively giving up all hope of making it out of this season alive, the Tampa Bay Rays traded their best pitcher, David Price, to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The three-team deal entailed the Tigers sending centerfielder Austin Jackson to Seattle, which in turn sent infielder Nick Franklin to the Rays, along with left-hander Drew Smyly and shortstop Willy Adames. “On the surface, I’m sure the fans are going to be upset—go ahead and be upset—I don’t blame them,” Rays Manager Joe Maddon said Thursday. “That’s what fans are supposed to do. But within the Tampa Bay Rays, we have to do what we think is best for our group and continue to move forward. I have total trust and respect for our players and ownership.” In another major pitcher trade, the Oakland Athletics acquired Jon Lester from the Red Sox.
