DECEMBER 4: The deal has now been announced.
NOVEMBER 27, 7:06pm: The guarantee is $2.5MM, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com tweets. The contract also includes $1MM in potential incentives.
12:18pm: The Tigers and left-hander Matt Moore are in agreement on a one-year deal, reports Yahoo’s Jeff Passan (Twitter link). Mark Feinsand of MLB.com had indicated that the two sides were in talks just prior to that report (also via Twitter). Specific parameters aren’t clear, but Feinsand and Passan both suggest Moore would be looking at a guarantee in the range of $2-3MM. The deal is pending a physical. Moore is represented by Sosnick, Cobbe & Karon.
Moore, still just 29, has struggled through a pair of awful seasons and would be a buy-low option for the Detroit rotation. Once considered the best pitching prospect in the game — Baseball America rated Bryce Harper, Moore and Mike Trout the game’s top three overall prospects prior to the 2012 season — Moore’s career came to a screeching halt in 2014 when he underwent Tommy John surgery.
To that point, Moore had amassed 347 big league innings with a 3.53 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 and 0.9 HR/9 all before celebrating his 25th birthday. Moore struggled in his return from the ligament replacement procedure late in the 2015 campaign but gave some reason for optimism when he tossed a career-high 198 1/3 innings of 4.08 ERA ball in 2016. His velocity hadn’t quite returned to its peak levels but was on the upswing, and Moore looked to be on the path to reestablishing himself.
Unfortunately for both Moore and the Giants — who acquired him from the Rays midway through that solid 2016 campaign — the left-hander completely unraveled in 2017. Since Opening Day that season, he’s been clobbered for a 5.99 ERA in 276 1/3 innings of work. Moore has averaged 10.7 hits and 1.5 home runs per nine innings pitched during that time, and his strikeout rate has fallen sharply (7.5 K/9). Over the past two seasons, he ranks 123rd of 125 pitchers in ERA (min. 200 innings), 107th in FIP and 117th in xFIP.
Those struggles won’t matter much to the Tigers, who are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with the once-vaunted left-hander. Moore will slide into the back of a rotation that will be devoid of any expectations. Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Matthew Boyd and Daniel Norris are the top candidates to join Moore in manager Ron Gardenhire’s rotation next year, though the Detroit organization has an extremely promising wave of starting pitching prospects on the horizon. Matt Manning, Franklin Perez, Beau Burrows and 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick Casey Mize are all rising through the ranks and could soon arrive to give the rebuilding Tigers some hope for years to come.
In the meantime, Detroit will turn to low-risk stopgaps like Moore (and, a year prior, Mike Fiers and Francisco Liriano) in hopes of extracting some quality innings at a reasonable price point. Should they succeed in this instance, Moore will quickly become a trade chip next June or July.
That’s turned the division on its head. Your move, everybody else!
The 17’ Twins and 18’ As showed us all that even teams without hype can piece together a good enough season to make the playoffs. This signing might look brilliant next August if the Tigers can catch a run of great luck.
They don’t even have to make run to make this a great signing. Matt Moore has to pitch well to make this a great signing, actually that’s the only thing that will make this a great signing
Yep, the Indians need to immediately upgrade their rotation, if they’re to face this onslaught.
The Indians have taken a step back, unless they fix their outfield. That said, I don’t believe the Tigers will challenge for the division but a wild card could go to anyone, and if a signing like this goes radically positive then all bets are off.
You’ll be the same idiot who publically complains if Tigers sell high on this guy in July. Then make some moron comment about cheap ownership.
Clue for the clueless: deals like this happen for every team, every year. And this is EXACTLY how the diamonds in the rough are found.
You mean like how they sold high on Fiers and Liriano? Both of whom were better pitchers than this guy? And no, diamonds in the rough are found in minor league signings with invites to spring training. Not giving a guy with an ERA of 6.00 over the last two seasons 2.5 million.
Tell that to Anibal Sanchez
Matt Moore is a good example on how everyone does not bounce back from TJ. The life on his fastball or spin rate has never come back to pre TJ levels. Moore by the way was ranked by some prospect outlets number 1, ahead of a guy named Trout.
His FIP was actually a full run and a half lower than his ERA. Escaping Arlington’s launch pad will hopefully help him.
dude was just as bad in San Fran
His FIP was still 5.25, and he was similarly pummeled with the Giants, at AT&T Park of all places, in 2017.
I’m not saying he can’t rebound — but he needs more than just getting out of Globe Life Park to turn his career around.
I’m shocked he got a major league deal after his last two seasons. Even though he spent one in Arlington, he was roughed up on the road last year too
They say left handed Pitchers have nine lives in MLB.
He’s signing with the Tigers. It was probably the major league deal that convinced him.
Likely the opportunity to start and possibly be traded to a contender if he plays well. The tigers are the exact type of team someone like him would want to sign with
Same here.
‘Baseball America rated Bryce Harper, Moore and Mike Trout the game’s top three overall prospects prior to the 2012 season’
Well, two out of three ain’t bad.
Two out of three is actually quite impressive when it comes to MLB prospect predictions.
In 2015, MLB rated Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor the top three overall prospects.
Not a bad track record at all.
Before Matt Moore was injured, he was a very good pitcher. In 2013, he was 17-4-3.29. He often pitched brilliantly but lost too many batters to walks.
I predict that this signing for DET will rate somewhere between Francisco Liriano and Mike Pelfrey. The realistic goal is to get 150 IP; they won’t get a great prospect from any team for him mid season. Still, $2.5M for a hope is downright absurd.
Not great, but not terrible either. Only $2 million, why not give him a shot.
He’s pretty much the definition of terrible.
As a Tigers fan, I was hoping we would at least try to land Estrada or Santana for 1 year but heck we’re not going anywhere next year anyway. Probably just a 1 year fill in to replace Liriano while we continue to work with lefties Boyd and Norris.
I can’t believe he got a guaranteed contract. Derek Holland didn’t get anything guaranteed last year and their recent histories weren’t too different. Tigers followed their M.O. of rebound candidates and it’s a fairly minimal guarantee I’m just surprised he got anything guaranteed.
This is not a bad move. The Tigers’ pitching staff can use anyone with a pulse.
Could also use him as a relief arm depending on how Boyd/Norris develop next year
He’s not in San Francisco so I’m happy lol
This guy peaked at age 25. I remember when the Giants got him it was considered a big deal at the time. He could be a decent bullpen arm, perhaps? Not a bad risk here. He’s still just 29.
I hate seeing how badly he has declined.
Good signing. Bring him to camp and compete. If he fails, he can be cut. If he rebounds to his potential, he can be traded at the deadline for prospects. Low risk, high reward
Exactly. And he wasn’t that bad in his Rays days. Some guys get a long-term deal, and lose motivation. Moore COULD be that kind of guy. Get him when he’s pitching for his supper, and he might rebound (with the usual “I’m finally healthy” BS). And he could be a flip candidate come July 31; everybody always needs a LH.
All the same could be said if they’d signed him, or many guys like him, on a minor league deal
God bless us all, everyone
Really? They couldn’t find a better starter for that price? Like a guy that actually has a chance to bounce back?
Who are you suggesting?
Drew Pomeranz
If Matt Moore got 2 million guaranteed pomeranz is going to get at least 5 plus a ton of incentives that would probably push that deal up north of 10 if things work out.
As a GM I’d rather hand Pomeranz 5 + incentives than Moore 2.5 + incentives.
I figure reds or padres would of signed him and try to fix him.
The Tigers are the new Reds & Padres.
The Tigers GM Avila has a history of going full court press to get the ugly girls who put out as their prom dates.
Imagine him in Thailand.
OMG you saw him eat that bowl of noodles too! When I saw him handle those chop sticks and take down egg rolls three at a time, I was like, “Mr Avila, mad respect. Penchant for wavy deals? Yeah maybe. But, really, bro, your talents are much better suited for oriental meals madness!”
Waiting for the Jays to start picking at the leftovers before the Tigers and White Sox clean out the recycling bins.
He was a pain to watch with the Rangers. He really needs to rebound
Ugh, a match made in heaven. Tigers and Moore both going in the same direction.
He was such a stud prospect too.
His numbers as a starter last year were putrid but improved dramatically when he moved to the pen. His September numbers are promising. I don’t see him starting but considering the latest league fad is all relievers all the time he could prove valuable. Also wouldn’t be the first high profile prospect that flopped as a starter but shined as a reliever.
wade Davis, anyone?
Nice buy low move. I realize he’s a couple seasons removed from his last decent year, but they can probably turn him into a pretty intriguing prospect if they get him turned around.
Number 9 hitters had a .983 OPS against him last year. His pitch values were almost all negative including a fastball that was clobbered and even in a relief role he allowed a ton of home runs. Hopefully Tigers see something they can fix.
He made AT&T park look like Coors. He did pitch one amazing game that was really fun to watch.
He had a couple of amazing starts for the Giants, including Game 4 of the 2016 NLDS, but that was about it. Lots of badness otherwise.
I was in favor of the Fiers and Liriano signings last year (although I felt they overpaid for Liriano at bit). This one just baffles me, a minor league contract sure, give him a shot. But I think this is just throwing money away and blocking a different acquisition that might be worthwhile.
Tigers cast off Anibal Sanchez proved that guys sometimes have unexpected rebound years after a stint of putrid results. I would write Moore off just yet.
I was happy for Sanchez. Happier he was longer in Detroit.
3 lefty rotation? Something stinks. I bet they trade someone or plan on moving this dude to the bullpen.
Because the one thing holding the Tigers back is too many lefties.
The only way is up.
Yikes.
Just curious why these starting pitchers don’t turn to relief work. The way the game is being played these days, good to great relievers are more valuable than stopgap starters.
Totally agree with you.
Some pitchers can’t be used in relief . Francisco Liriano and Matt Morre walk too many batters.
The Rangers moved Moore to the pen last year and he pitched well. The Tigers will presumably do the same.
He also has $750Gs coming in from the Rangers. So it’s all good. Remember that deal he signed with the Rays, that everyone thought was foolish? Not so foolish. He would’ve been about $20M short right now, without it.
This will probably go about as well as the last time they signed a FA SP named Moore.
He has been arguably the worst pitcher in baseball over the past 2 years, I am amazed he even got a major league deal. Him and Jordan Zimmerman together hahahaha what a joke
Homer Bailey takes that honor of worst SP in MLB.
Momma, teach your baby boy to throw left handed…..
He’s awful now
This s the biggest signing in the past 25 years by the Tigers. We definitely got more than we expected in this swindle of a signing. He absolutely adds more zeros to the roster.
Non tender Alex Wilson, & sign Matt Moore to what would of been roughly the same salary? Ohh yeah, this should be good. What’s next, dump Candelario for Inge?
Inge was once the best outfielder in the history of the game. He often played in the bullpen and once in the stands knocking balls back on the field. However he seems committed to playing right field for the Ironton Miners next year.
This new hire is a real steal. They get more of a pitcher who is known not to stay down too long. His record of bouncing off the mat earned him his first name. In a pinch he can catch. Who could ask for more?