Price thrilled to enter camp still with Rays

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- David Price wore a broad smile standing in front of his locker Friday morning when pitchers and catchers reported to the Charlotte Sport Complex in advance of Saturday's first Spring Training workout.

"I'm definitely the happiest person in Port Charlotte," Price said. "I know there's not a whole bunch of people who get too pumped to come here, but I was definitely very excited to show up."

Price endured an offseason dealing with trade rumors about his future. The left-hander remained with the Rays during the Winter Meetings -- though he got mentioned in countless rumors. Then his situation reached a malaise as the market seemed to wait for Clayton Kershaw to sign a new deal with the Dodgers and Masahiro Tanaka to land with the Yankees.

"[Kershaw and Tanaka] were definitely a couple of different little markers that I thought would get the market going," Price said. "Fortunately for me and our team, it didn't happen fast enough. And I think kind of everything played in my benefit to stay here in the offseason. Maybe that's a sign and we'll take it from there."

Price chuckled when a reporter asked if his focus would be helped now that Spring Training is about to get underway and he's still with the Rays.

"I mean, I could still be traded," Price said. "... Once I get into the season, then it will kind of go away. But up until Opening Day, anything can happen.

"...Once tomorrow kind of starts, once I get my physical out of the way, give blood. If I give blood tomorrow, I'm not getting traded to somebody who hasn't given blood yet. That is not happening."