Dodgers News: David Price Wanted To ‘Take Care Of The Next Generation Of Baseball’ By Paying Minor League Players $1,000
David Price, 2020 Spring Training
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports


The last few months have not been easy for anyone due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but especially people involved with Major League Baseball.

While baseball is on the verge of returning, the league and players have remain locked in a public money dispute with no agreement in sight. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is now expected to impose a shortened season that may only see 50 games played.

Additionally, thousands of Minor League players have either been released or seen their already-small salaries reduced with their 2020 season expected to be cancelled.

The Los Angeles Dodgers organization are among those that have guaranteed pay to their Minor League players at least through June, and they are receiving some help from David Price, who pledged $1,000 to non 40-man rosters in the organization.

The gesture was a very generous one from Price, who hasn’t even played a game yet as a Dodger after being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox just before the start of Spring Training. In an interview on teammate Ross Stripling’s “Big Swing Podcast,” Price explained why he made the decision to contribute to paying Minor Leaguers:

“I just want to help take care of the next generation of baseball. I never even thought about the fact that I had never played a game with the Dodgers or any of that stuff. That never even crossed my mind. It was something I talked to my agent about probably eight weeks ago. I told my agent what I wanted to do and he went to Andrew (Friedman), they have a very good relationship, and they talked about how they could work it all out. The timing of when it happened from when we first discussed it, I think that was all kind of a blessing.

“They started talking about the Minor League season might not be played, they were talking about just cutting a lot of Minor League kids in general, and that was tough to see. … I wanted to lend them a helping hand for the time being. I know everybody is kind of going through their own thing right now. I just wanted those guys to know that I was thinking about them even though I haven’t met them or seen them or whatever it is. I just wanted them to know they’re being thought of. Major League Baseball is trying to take care of Major League Baseball right now, and Minor League Baseball is kind of an afterthought and that hurts my heart.”

Dodgers prospect Nolan Long recently expressed gratitude to Price for his gesture, and many others throughout the organization likely feel the same way.

While Price hasn’t been able to contribute to the Dodgers on the field yet, it is wonderful to see that he is finding other ways to do so during this difficult time.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!