Perhaps our name is being thrown out there as a bluff to get Tampa to lower their price for Price?
If Tampa thinks we're going to shell out money for Tanaka, they might ask for lesser talent to maximize Price's trade value.
If Tampa makes Price available, there are any number of clubs that would be knocking down their door to get him. They certainly wouldn't look at any interest in Tanaka (if in fact there really is any) on our part as potentially losing some leverage with Price.