Tigers’ new ace ready

David Price says he had no idea the Detroit Tigers were trying to trade for him.

The left-handed ace joined his new team at Comerica Park before Saturday night’s game against Colorado. He’ll be part of a rotation that includes fellow A.L. Cy Young winners Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

Star slugger Miguel Cabrera and the division-leading Tigers have won three straight A.L. Central titles and hoping to win their first World Series title since 1984.

“Walking in the clubhouse today was like an All-Star Game. All the players I’ve seen over the years,” Price said.

Price was 11-8 with a 3.11 ERA and topping the majors with 189 strikeouts when the Tigers got him from Tampa Bay on Thursday in a three-team trade that included Seattle. He’ll make his first start for his new team Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium against New York.

Price said he knew there was a good chance Tampa Bay would deal him before the trade deadline. His contract runs out after the 2015 season, and the fiscally challenged Rays probably wouldn’t re-sign him.

Price said he was playing golf Thursday when he got a text from Tigers reliever Joba Chamberlain that he could be headed to Detroit.

“I didn’t know Detroit was in the running,” Price recalled. He said his return text to Chamberlain simply said, “No way.”

Shortly before the 4 p.m. deadline, Price said his agent called and told him a deal would likely be made with Detroit.

Detroit’s rotation includes Rick Porcello, who is now tied with Scherzer among others for the major league lead with 13 wins, and 2013 A.L. ERA champion Anibal Sanchez.

With the Rays, Price was accustomed to heading the starters. With the Tigers, he’s got plenty of talent around him.

“There’s five leaders on this staff,” Price said. “If Porcello is No. 5, that’s pretty amazing the way he’s thrown the ball.”

Thome honored

Jim Thome’s point-the-bat hitting stance, a powerful symbol of the most successful era in Cleveland Indians history, is now a permanent fixture at Progressive Field.

The Indians unveiled the statue Saturday to honor the franchise’s leader with 337 homers, playing for the Indians from 1991-2002 and again in 2011.

Clearing the bases

Arizona has placed first baseman Paul Goldschmidt on the disabled list with a fractured left hand. … The Braves say longtime broadcaster Pete Van Wieren has died after a battle with cancer. He was 69.