The Orioles have had preliminary talks with righty starter Chris Tillman about an extension, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun writes. Encina characterizes those talks as “introductory,” suggesting that no deal is imminent.
This isn’t the first time the Orioles have expressed interest in extending Tillman, who is eligible for free agency after next season. (He is set to make a projected $10.6MM next season through the arbitration process.) As Encina notes, Orioles stars Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Zach Britton are eligible for free agency following the 2018 campaign. Extending Tillman, then, would help the O’s build a bridge between their current core and whatever that core might look like two to three years from now.
Tillman posted a 3.77 ERA, 7.3 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 172 solid innings in 2016. Those numbers roughly align with his career 4.13 ERA, 6.8 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. Tillman has rarely been among the AL’s top starters, but he’s been reliable and healthy, having pitched at least 172 frames in each of the past four seasons. (He did, however, miss a few weeks with a shoulder inflammation this season.) Those qualities could make him good money next winter, especially since he’ll be just 29. If extension talks with the Orioles do progress, Tillman’s camp could point to recently extended starters with five-plus years of service time such as Homer Bailey (who received six years and $105MM and an option) and Rick Porcello (four years, $82MM) as potential templates.
If this was the only think the Os do this off season I would be happy.
I wouldn’t
Not me – would love to see them do this with Machado instead, despite what would be a potentially record-breaking extension.
Yeah. We have an MVP candidate that we need to lock up. I don’t care if it’s 400 million. Just do it. It would be great if we extended Schoop and Britton, too.
Machado would have to be an idiot to not see what free agency would bring. Can’t imagine he signs an extension, no matter what the terms are.
Machado-Schoop-Jones
Those are the players I think matter, trade everyone else and get some pitching
Leave out Jones & insert Gausman and I agree with ya.
Yup but add Bundy to the list
Agree New Era. By the time Jones is a FA he’ll be far from his prime, but Gausman will hopefully be a top of the rotation starter
Never been a huge fan. He is what he is. I always thought he’s very Kevin Millwoodish. Honestly I’d rather wipe the slate clean and go find 3 other SP to go with Gausman & Bundy in 2018.
I agree and would trade him if they can get back a good package, I’d like a major league ready speedy high obp outfielder and a strong double A pitching prospect. Plug the outfielder in right and solves the six starters for five spots. Then try and get Vanimal back
Tillman couldn’t get you that. He’s Mediocre or average at best
Where are you getting your stats? 3 of the last 4 years his era was under 4.00 in the AL East. Not mediocre at all
I’d comp him with Porcello or Mike Leake (who was a younger FA). 5/80-85.