Price arrives in Toronto: 'In this city, in this country, they want to win'

The Toronto Blue Jays and David Price can only hope the road to the playoffs is smoother than Price's path to Toronto was Friday.

The 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a blockbuster deal Thursday, was formally introduced to the media following the Blue Jays' 7-6 walk-off victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday. Price was originally scheduled to field questions at 3:30 p.m., but he encountered some car trouble and didn't arrive at Rogers Centre until around 90 minutes before first pitch. Price's first impression of his new club, however, was overwhelmingly positive.

"In this city, in this country, they want to win," Price said. "You can feel the excitement, you can feel it in the dugout, you can feel it in the locker room.

"This organization definitely put their best foot forward at the trade deadline, and you've got to love seeing that."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Price has enjoyed success in the past at Rogers Centre, posting a 7-0 record in nine starts. He is also poised to test the open market for the first time in his career this fall, and was immediately asked about a potential long-term future in Toronto.

"Right now it's definitely too early. You have to see how it goes," Price responded. "I've put a ton of time into this game, a ton of hard work and dedication, I want to see where it goes and I definitely wouldn't rule this place out."

The southpaw is scheduled to make his Blue Jays debut Monday against the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre, and expressed his gratitude to the franchise for accommodating his request for the "BIGGEST trashbag of popcorn" upon his arrival.

"This is the best popcorn I've ever had. I get a big bag every time I'm here," Price joked.