Left-hander Matthew Boyd has been one of the most talked-about trade candidates in baseball dating back to last season, yet the Tigers haven’t been willing to part with him thus far. Boyd seemed to come up on MLBTR’s pages every day last July leading up to the trade deadline, though rumors centering on him have been few and far between this offseason. As of a few weeks ago, Tigers general manager Al Avila wasn’t “actively” looking to move Boyd, one of the most valuable players on a Detroit team that has little chance to push for contention in the near term.
Since that report on Boyd broke, the upper end of the free-agent class for starting pitchers has emptied out. Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Zack Wheeler, Madison Bumgarner, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dallas Keuchel and Cole Hamels, among others, have come off the board in recent weeks. That leaves … Alex Wood (?) as the best starter left in free agency. Needless to say, if you didn’t sign any of the top starters on the open market but still need help in your rotation, a trade’s likely your best bet at this point. So, there should be plenty of teams clamoring for Boyd.
As MLBTR’s Jeff Todd explained earlier this week, when combining trade value and trade probability, Boyd may be the likeliest starter in the game to wind up on the move before the season. As was mentioned before, the Tigers figure to stay close to the bottom of the league for at least a little while longer, which is one reason it makes sense to give up Boyd now. Likewise, the lack of better starters on the open market ought to help Detroit’s cause if it tries to deal him. The soon-to-be 29-year-old Boyd does have three seasons’ arbitration eligibility left, so the Tigers could be content to keep him. However, Boyd’s getting more expensive (he’s due a projected $6.4MM in 2020) and might be difficult to extend with Scott Boras as his agent.
All things considered, the next several weeks look like an opportune time for the Tigers to cash in Boyd. Keep in mind this is the same club that held once-coveted righty Michael Fulmer when several teams were interested in him, and after undergoing Tommy John surgery last March, his trade value’s almost nil right now. If the Tigers go the other way with Boyd, there should be plenty of teams willing to offer enticing packages. To name several examples, the Angels, Astros, Phillies, Padres, Dodgers and Braves were all reported to have expressed interest in Boyd over the summer. All of those clubs could still stand to add someone of his ilk to their starting staffs right now.
So, if you’re going to trade for Boyd, what would you be getting? Well, there’s nothing particularly impressive about his career 4.92 ERA/4.66 FIP across 645 1/3 innings. Similarly, neither Boyd’s lifetime 91.4 mph average fastball velocity nor his 92 mph mean from 2019 will scare anyone. But Boyd did find another gear last season in terms of generating swinging strikes, racking up strikeouts and limiting walks. Hitters whiffed on 14 percent of his pitches, up from the 9 to 10 percent range during prior seasons. Moreover, Boyd took down 11.56 batters per nine via the K and handed out free passes at a personal-best 2.43 per nine. In all, his 4.76 K/BB ratio ranked 10th in the majors, barely trailing NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and placing him just above the likes of Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw.
Despite his K/BB brilliance, Boyd still concluded last season with an unspectacular 4.56 ERA/4.32 FIP over 185 1/3 innings. One problem? A lack of ground balls. Boyd induced grounders at a subpar 35.6 percent clip, which rivaled his lifetime mark (34.5) but also helped lead to an unpalatable home run tally. He surrendered long balls on 18.2 percent of flies, up from the 10 to 11 range over the previous two seasons. Of course, teams that are especially sanguine about Boyd could attribute those struggles to a leaguewide increase in HRs. As such, it may not have a negative effect on their interest in swinging a deal for him.
All told, 2019 was a tale of two halves for Boyd. He recorded a terrific 3.57 ERA/3.38 FIP in advance of the All-Star break, which helped fuel one trade rumor after another, before plummeting to a 5.35 ERA/4.57 FIP thereafter. In retrospect, maybe the Tigers should’ve sold high on Boyd in July, but it still seems likely he’d bring back a quality return for the rebuilding club in the coming weeks.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Twins??? What does everyone else think. Idk because they are in the same division but who knows.
I don’t think the Twins are willing to give up what Detroit would want. Anyone young and good enough to be of interest to the Tigers is likely too much for the Twins.
Some think Detroit will be sneaky good this year. They have some roulette like high upside pitching and the additions of Cron and Schoop puts an extra 50 dingers in the lineup.
I personally think this is ludicrous but we’ve heard the front office is selling this line to the ownership.
That means it would take a Moncada level prospect for the front office to change their song with the ownership and convince the Illitch boy to sign of on a deal for Boyd.
Boyd needs to go if you want to be successful , he can bring in quite a bit and fix some holes
*Boyd ONLY needs to go IF he can bring in quite a bit and fix some holes
Exactly . If they trade him, they better get a ton in return !
Nobody believes they will be sneaky good and the front office is not selling this line. Avila simply stated that they’ve bottomed our and will start building from here. Prospects will need to earn their spot or be replaced by another prospect or an FA. They won’t be competitive this year but the fire sale is over so a team will have to put together a very attractive package to get Boyd or another Tiger.
It would take at least two top prospects and other(s) to get Boyd.
Tigers do not have to accept a low ball offer for Boyd.
Boyd is cheap with 3 years of team control left.
In the NL pitcher friendly league, Boyd’s stats would be much better..
phillies should explore this. They can trade one or two of their lower level prospects before they over value them and some cash.
I would think Bryson Stott and another position player would get a deal done.
I agree!!!
I think Gio Gonz just signed for like 4 mil – if someone wanted a lefty, they should have signed him for cheap instead of potentially trading for a 4.50 soft throwing lefty
ERA isn’t everything though. Still had a 3.5WAR and has 3 years of control left. Also 238K is pretty impressive.
ERA isn’t everything. Neither are strikeouts despite what some want you to believe.
238 K’s is impressive though.
Boyd is basically a younger version of Robbie Ray, but BrewCrew brings up a valid point about his 3.3fWAR last season. Also, it shouldn’t go unnoticed that his xfip drop precipitously to 3.88 from over 5 last season.
I think people over the mental toll pitching for a team like the tigers has on you. Boyd was flat out dominant at the start of the season. But he had to be… if he didn’t pitch a shutout the tigers would lose because they couldn’t score and some 4A reliever would allow 5 runs in a close game.
Its not like he was pitching for the yankees and all he had to do was go 5 innings, watch his team hit 4 bombs and then hand the ball over to one of the better relievers in the game.
*overlook
In fact, over his last 10 games, his ERA was 6.11
So your saying that since his team can’t produce runs, he therefore chose to pitch better at the beginning of the year because he had to? Imagine if he tricked himself into thinking that way all year :-/
Anywho, agree to disagree —- he had 2 games I believe all year where he didn’t give Up a run. Two starts out of (I’m guessing) 28ish starts. Those two games were Miami and Baltimore. So those two games almost don’t even count.
Long story short, his ERA is going to push 5.00 each year – how many really good pitchers have a 5.00’ERA, you can talk about WAR, spin rates or some other random stat – but his earned run average is a 5.00
Can’t wait to see if someone gives up good prospects for a 5.00 ERA. I will feel sorry for that team …. actually, no I won’t
Tigers haven’t unloaded Boyd because they value him as if he’s Randy Johnson in his prime. I believe they told the Yankees last year that any package to acquire him would have to start with Torres. Lolol.
Imagine if yanks took the bait
The whole front office would have been run out of town. Nobody except maybe Neil Huntington would be stupid enough to make that deal
Yeah, but it does scare me because our Yanks seemed to cling on to him a bit when the last rumors started flying. I’d rather give our own guys, like Garcia, a chance instead of trading anyone (except Happ) for Boyd. Obviously, Happ for Boyd is a non-starter.
If Yanks took the bait, then maybe they make the World Series instead of the Astros.
Yanks didn’t “take the trade bait” on Verlander or Gerrit Cole either and it also cost them World Series appearances,,,
Well, in 2017 the Cubs offered Baez for Fulmer + Wilson and the Astros offered Bregman. Tigers said “No way!” and went on to build their dynasty for years to come.
You act as if he didn’t win ROY the season before.
Bregman is a different hitter without the trashcans.
During the playoffs, Smoltz asked Bregman about hist hitting philosophy. Bregman said he didn’t try and guess the pitch, but focused on location. Smoltz was floored by that response. Batters can’t just focus on location, they have to account for speed and break.
Little did Smoltzie know, Bregman already knew the speed and break. (Bang, Bang, Bang)
Melchez, by far your best comment on any post yet! The first sentence was great in so many ways… lol. And the best part is that there is truth to what you wrote. Upvote for you, sir
Tigers gambled & lost. They thought they had an ACE & with years of control. Those prospects turned out to be top notch but most of the time they don’t so if they make the trade, who knows if those players blossom in a Tigers uniform. Woulda coulda shoulda is part of baseball lore. Yankees nearly traded Rivera to the Tigers as a prospect A ball starting pitcher. I doubt he would have become the HOF RP because he learned the Cutter in the Yankees organization. Tigers haven’t developed many. JV & Porcello we’re talented pitchers who didn’t need much but the position players they have drafted in the past 10 years are average at best.
Good thing YOU aren’t a GM you would give away the talent for a bag of balls.
The Tigers don’t need to trade away Boyd, it’s not a salary dump and if there isn’t a return worthy they are better off just keeping him.
Boyd is a bum. He either strikes you out, or he gives up a lot of runs. That ERA is terrible. I think any team is better off slotting in a top pitching prospect into their rotation and rolling the dice, rather give up talent. Doesn’t make sense to me why someone wants to trade for a #4 guy at best
I agree, hard pass for Klentak and the Phillies I’d hope. We dont need a fly-ball pitcher in that park. Alex Wood however would be worth a shot. I’d like to see them buy low on Kyle Freeland of the Rockies
I wouldn’t say Boyd is a bum, but he’s certainly not worth what the Tigers are asking for him.
Agree – if they were more realistic about the asking price, he would be a good pickup for a #4 pitcher .
But a top 100 prospect should not be changing hands
That is what the Yankees said about Verlander and it cost them at least 1 WS title….
Low ball offers won’t get your team Boyd.
Angels can spend 200M and finish 3rd or 4th in AL West…
Boyd would immediately make them a Wild Card Contender
and not waste the best years of Trout and Rondon…
Giving up value in prospects and young players sometimes is what it takes to win a WS like the Red Sox in ‘`18
Lots of “homers” base ball fans who over value their own teams’ talent and under value top quality players from other ballclubs.
Why are so many scouting departments, front offices and GMs so interested in Boyd?!
Because they see his analytics value in many categories in the top 10 in MLB.
Teams know that Boyd has huge upside to be a #1 or #2 Starter if he is traded to a pennant contending team with much better defense, better run support, better analytics, better pitching coaches that see they can make a few adjustments and get a top of the rotation starter results for 5-6M per year for at least 3 years.
Boyd’s untapped potential, toughness, ability to learn, adjust improve, pitrching smarts, personality and leadership as a good teammate are all off the charts.
Any team trading for Boyd is getting the real deal and will be glad they traded for this guy.
The Devil is in the details and if they want to bite the bullet and give up high end talent for a “value trade” or maybe even over pay to get this valuable LHSP.
Boyd and Wentz to Houston for McCullers.
Surely you are joking. McCullers has 2 years left before free agency, and the Tigers will still stink at that time. They need younger players controllable for longer. But then again, Al Avila is gullible enough to fall for it!
No way that Avila is slick enough to pull off a deal for McCullers.
Why would Houston trade away a starter? Makes no sense.
Melchez….Boyd is also a starter. Fun fact.
I get it… Boyd is a starter. McCullers is their known commodity. Why would the Astros trade a starter for another starter when they really need an additional starter? Do you understand?
Matt Boyd’s value is a joke. But yes, it was a joke.
NO !!!
Sounds like an Astros fan smoking some holiday weed.
Tigers would have not interest in the often injured and higher salaried McCullers Jr. who the Strohs probably let walk when his contract is up.
Two solid, young cost controlled starters for a mediocre, fading, often injured starter coming off TJ surgery and close to free agency?!
Suunds like an Astros “homer”..
Sorry kid, I’m a Jays fan. You want Boyd’s true value? There it is. People think Boyd has huge value. Not to the extent people think. He’s not worth Adell or even Marsh for that matter. Once the Tigers realize this it will be too late.
Sorry to break it to you… Looks like quite a few people who have real baseball knowledge have interest in Boyd. Otherwise, no one would be talking about him.
As a tiger fan I pray we trade Boyd, because we need the prospects more than we need him. We won’t be contending until at least 2022
Read the comments. Do you really want the Tigers to trade Boyd as if he’s a 4th or 5th starter? There is absolutely no benefit to the Tigers to get another 4th OF or utility IF. He can only build value by improving his ERA & FIP in 2020 to match his K numbers.
Al Avila is a moron and all the other GMs are aware. If Boyd ends up getting traded it will be for something lackluster in return. Every deal that he has done has been an embarrassment, aside from Greene for Wentz. The jury is still out for that one.
nonsense. He HASN’T made that trade because all he has been offered is garbage. You are a fool.
Boyd and niko goodrum to oakland for franklin baretto, dustin fowler, parker dunshee, jorge mateo and tigers choice of lazarito ammenteros or austin beck
Don’t think the Tigers would bite. But as to Baretto – play him or free him I say.
That’s a pretty fair swap if you ask me
Two valuable players for a bunch of bust players that A’s fans don’t want?!
LMFAO
The problem is the Tigers are going to want a package that would equal what you give up for an ace! Boyd is NOT an ace. He is not even a TOR starter. He is a #4 at best!
A team like Atlanta could really use him. We get what your saying dude.
Please no, the Braves don’t need a guy who either strikes them out or walks them. I would imagine they could acquire Musgrove from Pittsburgh for a lot less than the Tigers would want for Boyd.
He actually doesn’t walk that many guys. Walking guys isn’t his issue.
Yah, Boyd doesn’t really walk anybody… He pretty much either strikes them out or gives up absolute bombs.
I have to admit, I was probably thinking of another lefty who has been in the trade rumors some lately, Robbie Ray. Ray definitely has bases on balls issues.
Boyd has ace potential.
Boyd will make the 2020 AL All Star team as a Tiger if not traded 1st.
Young LHSP , cost controlled for 3 years, innings eater with one of the best strikeout to walk ratios in MLB?!
ANY TEAM WOULD HAVE TO PAY A PREMIUM OR OVERPAY TO LAND SUCH A PLAYER… BOYD IS NOT EXCEPTION..
I have feeling if the league replaces the home run derby baseballs with regular baseballs, Boyd will have a very solid year.
Tigers better hope they keep him.
Hey their pilgrim
Such a suspenseful comment. What happened to their pilgrim? I really want to know.
Unless Avila drops his asking price for Boyd, he is going nowhere. Tigers still need rotation help and Fulmer won’t be back until mid-season at the earliest. Avila wants at least one premium prospect in return, but no one was willing to give that up last year at the deadline and it is unlikely anyone will do that this off season. Thus, Boyd has more value to the Tigers than they type of return they can get for him right now and there is no reason Avila should drop his price.
Exactly, the Dodgers could have had Verlander in 2017 if they gave up a prospect but they chose the future and gave away the WS like a pile of morons.
Ditto with the New York Yankees
Yankees undervalued Verlander
Low balled the Tigers and came up empty.
Astros got Verlander and a WS title instead of the Yankees…
Great decisionmaking Yankees!
I’d rather roll the dice on Alex Wood than take Boyd. I don’t get why he is all of a sudden getting attention as if he’s a decent #2 starter.
I’m going to guess that it is because a lot of teams are in desperate need of pitching. At least from the article, it sounds like his peripheral numbers are good (high strikeout out numbers and low walk numbers), but he’s not generating overall good results, as seen by his high ERA. I don’t watch Detroit games, but I’m going to guess that they have a below average defense and all those things combined with the right situation could take him more valuable along with years of control.
Because strikeouts are all that matter to some people these days.
Verlander’s numbers with the Tigers were average or below after the Tigers traded away many of their best players in their teardown and rebuild.
Astros used their analytics and saw that Verlander had much better value than the numbers because he was pitching on a last place rebuilding ballclub.
Ditto with Boyd.
That is why you have extensive scouting and front office departments.
That is why fans’ opinions on player values are often wrong.
Seems like we’ve already gotten him in Bundy and Teheran. His K rate is appealing, but that’s about half a season.
In short, he doesn’t add a lot of upside so I’d rather keep our few prospects
Don’t let his ERA fool you JJ cuz there is some legit TOR upside to Boyd. Like the article mentioned his K & BB numbers are truly elite (like top 10 in baseball) but there’s more to suggest he’s worth gambling on.
His BABIP was .307 last year, 11pts higher than league average & nearly 50pts higher than his 2018 season.
His SIERA (whose algorithm includes balls in play) was 3.61 which ranked 11th in MLB. Detroit’s awful defense had a significant negative impact on Boyd’s 2019 performance. Give him a top 5 defense (like ours) and he likely fares much better
His 2019 was pretty similar to Lucas Giolito’s and, if you ask me, that’s clear TOR potential. Boyd’s arm is one I’d consider despite the risk. If we assume the HR derby balls are replaced he’s an even greater asset.
He gave up almost 2 HR/9 last year (worst in MLB). You can blame the ball all you want, but when he gets hit, he gets hit hard. And 2019 wasn’t a fluke… He had the 8th worst HR/9 in 2018. There’s an often forgotten art to pitching that doesn’t involve striking everyone out, and he certainly does not have that skill at this point in his career.
Won’t argue vs his HR troubles as they are clearly real. Though I would like to point out that a pitcher can still be effective while giving up hard contact. Verlander/Buehler/Bieber/Bauer/Ray/MadBum/Nola all gave up similar hard contact and were still pretty good last year.
Detroit is not asking for a trade. If somebody wants Boyd they can offer what they think is fair Avila will decide yes or no. Everyone getting all excited that he’s not worth it but to teams out there a starting pitcher like him is expensive.
“Starters like him” are not expensive at all!
Gausman signed for $9m and Gibson 3/$30m yeah SP’s, Bundy was traded for 4 prospects, yeah SPs aren’t cheap. Young ko southpaw controllable pitchers are not cheap.
The best prospect in the Bundy trade was Bradish. He’s currently the #26 prospect in the Orioles system. The other 3 didn’t make their top 30. I wouldn’t use that trade to say that SPs aren’t cheap.
@braves – lol great comment
@Ejoey
What does he offer but promise? His actuall result have him as a # 5.
What staff is Boyd a 5 on?
Yankees. Behind Cole, Severino, Paxton, Tanaka and probably German. He strikes out a lot of guys but a ERA/ FIP says it all. Potential is one thing but right now he’s another Eovaldi type and thats not exactly a compliment.
So on one team he’s a 5? One out of 30 teams he’s a 5? The team with a payroll of over 200 million a year and the team that is expected to spend $99 million just on their starting pitching… he’s a 5? That team, Boyd would be expected to beat out a guy making 17 million a year for the 5th spot?
OK
BS
Boyd would slot right in behind Gerrit Cole as #2 or #3 on the NYY
depending which 2 or 3 Yankees starters are injured that month.
A 5? Guy is no lower than a 3 on 90% of the staffs in MLB, that’s off the top. Most teams would win a lot of games with him as their 2. You have to remember how poor his run support was. The Tigers were as bad of a baseball team as I’ve seen in 2019.
Boyd is very similar to Robbie Ray but younger. Not sure he’s a 5.
A ERA/FIP near 5 has nothing to do with run support. He may have more wins with more run support but that’s the offense to his rescue.
Valid points Nicksfan. I also agree that he’s not above 5 on the Yankees, but on the Angels? Maybe he is?
Detroit is not asking for a trade.
——————————————
And Detroit fans should be asking ‘why not’.
Maybe to rebuild some value. The deadline last year would’ve been a good time to strike.
There is zero point in trading someone with 3 years of control for nothing of value. That would be the dumbest possible thing to do.
Do you realize he has no defence behind him,no run support and no relievers. Ask Verlander how difficult it is.
It’s not the defense behind him, but the home runs he doesn’t seem to prevent.
Boyd can’t keep the ball in the park.
yeah. The outfielders suck to not catching the 39 homeruns he gave up in the stands.
Whoa, hey, let’s not be too hard on the fans in the OF seats for their defense. In their defense, Boyd gives them a lot of opportunities, which will of course lead to more miscues.
Disagree with the premise of the article. I don’t think Boyd will be traded, nor does it make sense. Considering a few recent free agent signings and a couple prospects that could graduate this year, the Tigers could be a middle of the pack team. They still need pitching and they might only net a couple mid range prospects (at the absolute most) who may or may not pan out in 1-5 years. Not worth it. The Tigers are no longer in a full out rebuild and it appears they are taking incremental steps forward. Sure maybe another team tosses over their #7 and #15 prospect for him, which would be purely based on the fact he gets strikeouts and it would make sense for that team. For the Tigers, I don’t see it and I don’t see the value honestly. Unless they are getting a top 5 prospect (and they’re not), then forget it.
“The Tigers could be a middle of the pack team”
Are you referring to LSU or Auburn?
The Tigers are fighting with Orioles and Royals for worst in the MLB. They aren’t the middle of anything.
Boyd is so overrated, if anyone trades for him and gives up a haul that GM should be fired
your opinion is overrated.
Matthew Boyd – 2019
MLB Ranks – Fangraphs (Starters – Minimum of 80 IP)
WAR 3.3 (T-33rd out of 132 Qualified)
xFIP 3.88 (34th out of 132)
SIERA 3.61 (15th out of 132)
K/9 11.56 (9th out of 132)
BB/9 2.43 (T-40th out of 132)
K% 30.2% (T-12th out of 132)
BB% 6.4% (T-39th out of 132)
K/BB 4.76 (T-15th out of 132)
The overwhelming sentiment here, and in other similar forums, is that Boyd isn’t a particularly valuable asset. Yes, perhaps the Tigers asking price was/is too high in the eyes of other clubs, however the assertion that he isn’t anymore than a four or five starter on a quality team is to ignore the analytical profile he displayed last year. Yes, he struggled keeping the ball in the park during the second half of the season but that doesn’t cancel out all of the positive steps he has taken over the past season and a half or so. The spin rate on his fastball is well above average, as were his xwOBA and xBA, according to Baseball Savant, not to mention he added 1.6 mph to his average fastball from 2018 to 19.
I’m not arguing that he is an ace by any stretch of the imagination, however it’s lazy analysis to label him as a “fourth starter at best’, or to assert that he hasn’t been any better than guys like Bundy and Teheran over the past two seasons. This is a valuable asset and Detroit and Al Avila shouldn’t be mocked for treating him as such.
Hard Hit % 40.7% (15th worst of qualified starters)
HR/FB 18.2% (6th worst)
HR/9 1.89 (worst)
When he gets hit, he gets hit hard – and it happens way too frequently
Yet he still was able to finish in the top quarter of the league in WAR, xFIP, K/9, SIERRA, & K/BB. There’s probably a good chance that his HR/FB ratio will fall back to his more typical 11-12%, especially if the baseballs MLB decides to use this season aren’t as juiced as last year. Add that to the improvements he made last season, plus having three years of control…that’s a valuable asset.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/matthew-boyd-…
Statcast has his hard hit % much lower than 40%. 34%. Which was lower than Bauer; in comparison. People lose their mind over Bauer; who to date has really only had 1 ace like year. I can’t imagine Detroit is the best FO and coaching staff in baseball. There’s things to like about Boyd. Particularly if he went to a situation like Houston or Cleveland. A place that can really develop pitching. Maybe Mickey Callaway out in LA would be a good fit also.
Wait a minute… where do you get your data? CC gave up 2.3 homers per 9. LeBlanc Sampson gave up 2.1 per 9. Kikuchi… Lopez 2.0 per 9. Happ 1.9.
I never understood the allure of Boyd. Yes he strikes out a lot. Yes he’s a lefty. Other than that, he’s at that point in his career where he has to show and prove and thus far, in over 600 major league innings to examine, he’s a pitcher with a career 4.92/4.66 ERA/FIP. He’s not that desirable. Any team that acquires him is fantasizing of being able to “fix” him and get the best out of him. That’s a hell of a risk. he’s not even a good #4. He will strike out 10 guys in one game and then give up 7 runs and 5 walks the next. All this talk about the prospect package he will command befuddles me. Imo it doesn’t make sense to trade him now because I can’t imagine a team coughing up prospects the Tigers might want. . Might as well hope he can have a bounce back year during 2020,.
And, I keep saying, “please don’t do it, Cashman, please don’t do it”.
Lefty with high strikeout rate + Yankees interest = bad decisions.
And I’m saying, “please don’t do it, Eppler, please don’t do it.”
Boyd’s putrid performance over the second half of the season may be the real predictor of his future value. He’s just not worth what the Tigers are asking. Robbie Ray would be a much better target.
You get Ray for a year. If it works out, he gets a fat contract at seasons end. The Angels arent really in a position to give out a fat deal to a Robbie Ray. Boyd comes with control. That would be the appeal… Depending on the ask.
They wanted too much for Fulmer, then pulled the same crap with Boyd.
Guy gave up 39 home runs in Commerica National Park? What would happen to him in the AL East?
Tigers WAY overvalue their players. Incompetent front office.
Well last year he threw 31 innings in AL East parks and only gave up 1 HR so…..
He actually did very well against the AL East. 2.98 ERA vs the Yankees, 1.29 ERA vs the Rays and shutout the sad sack Orioles.
Boyd had double digit strikeouts of pennant contending lineups last year including 13 strikeouts and zero home runs at home heaven yankee stadium’with its very short rf fence.
Put Boyd on a better team, and he is even better.
AsK Verlander whose numbers tanked with the Tigers when Tigers got rid of most of their good players…
Then, he goes to a loaded Astros team and he is “All World”?!
Awful pitcher
Is that You Cashman?!
If you had Boyd last year, then maybe you are playing the Nats instead of the Astros for the WS title lmfao!
With the Years & Money that Donaldson is asking for to sign him & the haul it’s going to take to trade for either Arenado or Bryant I kind of wish Anthropolous would have just signed Ozuna to a 2 to 3 year deal, signed Travis Shaw to a 1 year “Earn your next contract” deal, then took a shot at trading for Boyd. This way you could have sprinkled Austin Riley in at 3rd and gave him some reps & the Braves wouldn’t of had to relinquish quite as much of their farm trading for Boyd as they would trading for a guy like Bryant. I guess a situation like this could still happen but AA would have to sign Frazier to that 1 year deal
Guys are posting career highs in Hrs and SOs. Pitchers too. Lance Lynn had 246. Morton had 240. In the HR or K MLB moving forward it’s more about keeping runs off the board and he is a 4th starter, he just has control. No different value than Robbie Ray the last few years. Tigers probably asking too much like the DBs are.
The other clubs are just offering too little.
See what i did there.
Hope the Tigers keep Boyd. If Fulmer comes back strong then with Mize, Manning and a couple other near MLB ready pitchers perform as projected that will be a good rotation as soon as 2021
I saw recently San Francisco took on a bad contract in order to gain the legit prospect attached with it. I wonder why the Tigers havent been doing that?
Boyd and Derek Norris to SD for Naylor , Hudson Potts, and maybe Ryan Weathers , maybe throw Austin Hedges in too and give him a change of scenery
Wow those players dont even replace anyone the Tigers have now, try again.i don’t think SD matches up with positional players in trade
another “homer trade”…
Boyd would be a upgrade for Padres rotation
But, expect to give up 2-3 top young players and prospects to get him.
Padres gave up a 25 home run guy and a top pitching prospect to the Indians for a struggling AA OF so get real..
Padres fan saying PASS on this.
In my opinion Boyd is not worth what the Tigers want to get for him in a trade in players/prospects.
No doubt he gives up the long ball, but he also has that impressive K/BB ratio that seems to be very attractive in today’s game. Also the fact that the Tigers had a terrible defense did not help. How many extra pitches did he have to throw to make up for an out not being made when it should have that I’m sure resulted in at least a few of those dingers. I’m also pretty sure that a more seasoned catcher that knows the game and his pitcher could call better pitches for him in certain situations to further avoid homers. Not looking too bad now taking in those considerations. All things considered, Avila should not be lowering the asking price. There is really no need to trade him, nor was there a need to trade Fulmer despite his recent injury. If a team wants to pay the price, let them. If not, he’s not exactly killing payroll right now.
What you say is true BUT the fact he pitches in one of MLB’s pitcher friendly/biggest ballparks doesn’t hurt him either. If he moves to a smaller park which is most of them watch out.
Actually that hasn’t been true for well over a decade. Park adjustment data shows Comerica as a slightly hitter friendly park. It is especially hotter friendly for LHB.
Bring ozuna to Atlanta
Judging by that drop in effectiveness in the 2nd-half of last season, Boyd could have a problem in his throwing arm, I don’t know if it is elbow or shoulder or lack of stamina but I wouldn’t take a chance on him right now. The lack of quality starters on the market is what makes him attractive to any team looking for a starting pitcher, so if I were a GM, I’d wait and watch his performance in 2020 and go from there.
The Tigers made a mistake not trading him last year. He’s better than his numbers show, but his numbers are pretty bad.
Right now, his entire career values is based on two month’s of excellent work. Before April 2019, his career ERA was 5.07. After May 2019, his ERA was 5.67.
And the Tigers are really bad. Mize & Manning are good prospects, plus a couple of others, but they might be competitive in 2023? They should try to grab a couple of top-50 prospects while they can.
I can’t see any team giving up a couple top 50 guys for Boyd. That shipped has sailed.
If it was ever available in the first place
He didn’t even suggest that they get a top 50 prospect for Boyd, and made it clear that Boyd should have been moved last year. He just said they need to “grab a couple…while they can”.
The last line says, “grab a couple top 50 prospects while they can.”
You just omitted the words to make your rebuttal seem correct. Joe is a reasonable guy; I’ve seen his posts. I was just commenting that I don’t believe that’s on the table. He may not have meant multiple top 50 prospects for Boyd; I do not know. That’s why I replied. It certainly reads that way though.
Including “top 50 prospects” doesn’t change the logic at all, as he didn’t say those prospects could be had now, and in fact made it clear that it was way too late to get them for Boyd.
No, I meant exactly what I said. I think Avila way overrated Boyd, but he still has talent, and still has a great K/W, and still, most importantly, has three years left.
Having said that, I don’t mean two guys in the top-50, I don’t mean a #25 & #35-I mean exactly #50. But more important, since they aren’t competing, they might as well get a couple of prospects even if they are #75 types.
Yeah thanks Joe. I don’t believe they can get that kind of return for Him. I think it’s more likely a top 50-100 + some other pieces. I think maybe something a top 100 guy +2-3 other top 30 organization prospects is more likely. Say the top 100 prospect + another top 10 guy. Plus two guys from the back half of a top 30. I think that’s really the best they could do. I wouldn’t be shocked to see less than that go back.
We’ll see who is closer though. The price tag on FA starters has certainly been higher than I anticipated.
@ Lysander I really don’t know what you’re saying. That didn’t make any sense at all.
I’m sure if a team offered a couple of top 50 prospects he would have been traded. They didn’t and he wasn’t.
Dodgers should take a shot at Boyd – offer a bat (Pederson, Pollack or Muncy) and a prospect (Ruiz or Goslin)
Any one of the three would be an acceptable deal without the prospect.
No, all three of those are garbage and not useful for the Tigers in a few years when their farm will be turning out players.
The Tigers need prospects for the future not for 2020.
Garbage? Muncy hit 35 hr with 98 rbi and the Tigers would have contract control. Only issue is the logjam in LA – he could play 1b, 2b or DH
…which is why LAD will never trade Muncy for Boyd.
Max Muncy is too old to fit the Tigers rebuild.
I Doubt the Tigers would have interest in Muncy.
And, Muncy alone would not be enough to get Boyd.
An acceptable deal means value for value based on current performance, not what people think someone MIGHT do in the future, and based on that, Det would actually be getting the better of the deal. “Turning out players” in the form of pitchers perhaps, but give me a name of what is generally termed a high-rated hitting prospect not named Greene or Parades, both of whom are way too inexperienced to even be considered a highly rated prospect. I think it’s nonsense to rate anyone below AA. Granted, Pederson is platoon and Pollack way too old for a team looking to compete in ’22 or ’23 but Muncy would be a great move. Alas, it’s not going to happen.
These types of garbage offers are why Boyd won’t be moved and why MLBTR should stop pretending he will.
Offer Lux, May and 1 or 2 others and I am sure the Tigers will take that call,.
Stop referring to Boyd’s era. Tigers have had the worst defense in the infield & outfield his entire career. 7 different guys played SS 2b & 1b on any given week. Do you honestly think his era matters on the worst team in baseball? Put him on a team that can field the ball in the INF his era is under 4. Make some plays in the OF maybe under 3.5 era. Look at the Tigers metrics and tell me how any pitcher is going to have a good era when you have multiple 4a players in the INF?
Put Boyd on a pennant contending team with great defense and offensive run support and his ERA Drops at least 1 full point and he gives you 15-20 wins a year. while eating innings and having one of the top strikeout to walks ratios in MLB.
See videos of bound striking out double digits batters of pennant contending teams last year including 13 strikeouts of the Yankees and no home runs at homer haven Yankees stadium.
Tigers should only trade Boyd in the offseason if they can get a team to offer high end value in top young players and prospects or a team that will over pay for Boyd.
Otherwise, Tigers should keep Boyd, roll him out there for 15 starts and an All Star selection in 2020 and then deal Boyd for maximum value or an “overpay” trade at the 2020 Trade deadline to a team that is one starter shy of the playoffs or WS contention.
Tigers will have a very interesting Rotation in 2020
with Boyd, Norris, Fulmer (Rebuilding his value after Tommy John)
Spencer Turnbull, Tyler Alexander…
Not counting the top rated future starters at A AA and AAA .
Tigers have low salaried, cost controlled, young starters that they can trade.
However, they won’t be just giving guys away.
They will be demanding impact, young position players and prospects back in deals
….
Right on Sportsfan!