Jays’ players get boost from wheeling, dealing

They have a sense of purpose, and music from Drake, for the final 60 games

Like most baseball fans, Jays players followed along feverishly on social media as the David Price trade unfolded Thursday.

At first, there was doubt; then elation took over when the deal was finalized.

“I saw it on social media that they were close, and I said I don’t think they’ll make it,” Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson said. “Then you’re very happy. He’s a top starter and he’ll help and contribute in more ways than one.”

There was a renewed sense of purpose to make the playoffs as the players came to the clubhouse for their game against Kansas City Thursday night.

The buzz in the Jays room, after Tuesday’s trade for Troy Tulowitzki and the Price that followed, was palpable.

The music of Drake, which the Jays often celebrate to, played in the clubhouse and dominated the soundtrack of batting practice.

“Obviously exciting,” Tulowitzki said. “Being in Colorado for as long as I was, we never made any moves like that. We had some times when we were coming down the stretch run and still in it, but we stuck with our team.

“So to hear that we got David today is obviously a huge acquisition. It’s exciting. Hopefully, he can come in and give us another arm to go along with these guys and help us with that push.”

Price’s quality was what the Jays were hoping for as long as a month ago, when the hype for the trade deadline began building in earnest.

“This is what everybody was anticipating the last three to four weeks, what would we do at the deadline. This is what everyone wanted to happen,” pitcher R.A. Dickey said.

“You gotta feel good with David at the top of the rotation and all of us slotting in behind him. A lot of good

“It’s not deflating when they don’t make a move, but it gives you that much more energy when they do.” TROY TULOWITZKI

teams have not come close to (the post-season). David Price’s past success doesn’t guarantee future success. And it doesn’t mean we can hang our hats on (him) and win it. We have to go out and execute and take care of business.

“But … you’re getting the total package in this guy.”

Donaldson, who was in Oakland with the A’s last year when GM Billy Beane pulled off trades for Jon Lester, Jeff Samardzija, and Jason Hammel, said the past two days of major trades in Toronto carry a different feeling.

“Last year in Oakland it was different because we ended up giving someone off our major-league club (outfielder Yoenis Cespedes), a guy in the middle of our lineup,” Donaldson said. “What we see here, with Tulo, we gave up (Jose Reyes), but we got back a player playing the same position and one of the premier shortstops in the league . . . now Price, and I’d guess you’d say for prospects.”

Tulowitzki said failures to get help at the trade deadline can leave the players disillusioned.

“I’ll say this: it’s not deflating when they don’t make a move, but it gives you that much more energy when they do,” Tulowitzki said. “So for this to be their second big move in the last couple days, it tells you, ‘Hey, we’re in it, we think we can win here. Now we’re going to give you guys the pieces.

“Now it’s up to (the players).”