Let’s check in on a pair of teams from the game’s Central divisions…
- The Tigers and left-hander Matthew Boyd avoided arbitration with a one-year, $5.3MM agreement earlier this month. There was then speculation that the two sides would work out a long-term pact (at least one that would buy out Boyd’s three arb-eligible seasons), but the soon-to-be 29-year-old told Jason Beck of MLB.com and other reporters Thursday that no talks have occurred. “No, but that would be cool,” said Boyd, who went to add that his goal is “to win a championship here.” Boyd may be the Tigers’ most valuable trade chip, and he has been the subject of rumors for several months now, but the club wasn’t aggressively shopping him as of December’s Winter Meetings.
- More on the Tigers’ rotation from Beck, who passes along an update on righty Michael Fulmer’s status as he continues to recover from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last March. The former AL Rookie of the Year is progressing well, as Beck writes that Fulmer’s “pain-free” and scheduled to begin throwing from 120 feet off flat ground next week. However, manager Ron Gardenhire noted Fulmer’s not slated to return to a major league mound until “deep into the summer.” The Tigers set a 15- to 16-month recovery timetable for Fulmer when he went under the knife, so he should be back sometime in June or July if all goes according to plan.
- There was at least some chance of a reunion between the Pirates and one of their ex-players, Pittsburgh native Neil Walker, before he signed a minor league deal with the in-state rival Phillies on Wednesday. Walker and Pirates GM Ben Cherington engaged in “some cursory conversations,” Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette relays, but they didn’t make meaningful progress in those discussions. “We did talk a little bit, but it was pretty vague,” Walker said. “It sounded like Ben had a lot on his plate from the time he took over, and he just wasn’t able to commit a spot.” Walker had a productive run with the Pirates, Mets and Brewers from 2009-17, but his numbers dipped with the Yankees and Marlins during the previous two seasons. The 35-year-old doesn’t expect this to be his last season, though, and he left the door open for a possible return to the Bucs in 2021.
They have no reason to reach an extension, when he is a FA hell be what 31 or 32? They’ll just move on and hell be too old and end up going year to year with teams. 32 is like the new 36 for a SP.
Not true at all Happ got a multiyear deal at 37
Dallas Keuchel got a nice 54 million dollar payday. Ryu got 80! Anyone want to guess their ages?! Anyone??
Ahem .. Keuchel, Ryu, Happ (and Rich Hill, if you want to continue to be sarcastic) have resumes that … ‘look nothing like like Boyd’s’ (a 4-5 starter)
(That is why those 32+ year olds have gotten the deals they got)
And that looks like a mistake as the Yankees have been trying to unload him all winter with no luck.
Oh bloody he’ll.
He’ll is the new hell. Or something.
“32 is like the new 36 for a SP.”
– easily, without a shadow of doubt, the dumbest thing ever written on this site. Not one iota of it is true and the person who wrote it has definitely not followed baseball for longer than a year.
@mods something’s up with the comments. I can’t reply to replies to my own comments. Please fix this. Thanks in advance!
Guess they don’t want to hear from you!
I guess that shut him up!
Nobody wants to communicate with a talking goat?!
I’m still amazed there’s a talking goat named Jim.
I mean…you have a talking goat. How awesome! But you named it Jim?
I appreciate that Boyd feels optimistic he can win a championship with the Tigers. But seems perhaps a bit to optimistic. If I were him I’d be happy going year to year in arbitration while at least watching to see if the team makes any real improvement.
Boyd the fake ace.
Boyd has more class in his pinkie-nail than you have in your whole body. He and his wife run an orphanage and school for girls in Africa. They don’t just raise money, the go there and visit the girls. It’s a beautiful thing. Called Kingdom Home. Say you’re sorry for being mean and throw some bucks his way.
“Boyd the Charity Ace” – this correction should make both sides happy
“Boyd The Fake Ace” = my new band name…
Signing Walker would have been a good way for the Pirates to sell a little more tickets, at least earlier in the season because Yinzer Nation is infatuated with him, but it was a good move not to sign him. The Pirates need to commit to the youth they have so they can see what they have to work with. Though, I would much rather have Walker on the bench than Colin Moran. Moran might be the stiffest fielder I’ve ever seen. Lady Liberty is more agile than Moran.
Always love the “yinzer” tag, as if that’s some kind of rip against anyone who lives here. How moronic
I didn’t like Walker and Cutch being traded because they still had value and yes, they are actual residents and good ambassadors for the team and city. Maybe that’s hard for you to comprehend
Very difficult to say if either would make sense now, particularly because Walker is an infielder and really, does the team need more of those when OF, P and C are threadbare here. And it’s difficult because it looks as though Cherrington is being methodical and meticulous in evaluating players.
But the team’s first big trade will speak volumes. The last GM was adept at equally giving away vets and prized prospects.
I doubt the Tigers are interested in in an extension. They have a ton of young starters in the minors, and they should be ready for prime time by the time Boyd is a free agent. They still hope he can pitch well enough for them this year that they can move him at the deadline for some help with the rebuild. An extension makes that harder.
How does an extension that would provide additional years of control make him more difficult to trade? If he performs well an extension makes him even more desirable. If he doesn’t it won’t matter.
I think he would be a fantastic leader for those young sp’s. I know I’m apart of the select few, but I really like the trio of Boyd, Fulmer, and Norris. I optimistically believe they’ll outperform.
I doubt the Tigers are interested in in an extension. They have a ton of young starters in the minors, and they should be ready for prime time by the time Boyd is a free agent. They still hope he can pitch well enough for them this year that they can move him at the deadline for some help with the rebuild. An extension makes that harder.
RIP Jay Allen. Prayers out to all family members and friends.
I was hoping Neil would return to the Bucs this year, the Pirates situation for him to play was perfect at third. If Hayes’s bat picks up then Neil would be fine bench bat, IF utility. Next year needs for him would likely be much less.. but if he takes a cheap deal that would allow him to retire here in front of his family (he’s from pittsburgh) that would be pretty awesome.
Good Luck out east!
Neil’s numbers
slid because of lack of playing time. He has gone from stater to utility guy.. Would have a nice fill in,and is a fan favorite
Boyd, Fulmer, Norris, Mize, Manning. September rotation looks pretty good.
Beau and Funk might make some noise as well.
Ohh, Turnbull too.
Tigers need to have something drastic done, and if Avila won’t do it, then bring in somebody who will. It’s time to go over the prospect list, decide who should be ready this year, take a look at them in spring training, and if they show any promise at all keep them with the team, and take out the trash.
I think that’s exactly what he did with Matt Hall, and we ended up getting a catching prospect out of it. I believe/hope that’s what he’ll do with all the outfielders in Toledo, give those guys a chance before signing someone like Puig.
The catcher they got in the Hall deal could have been signed as a free agent just 2 months ago. They weren’t interested then, so hard to get excited now.
I agree, but it’s a sought after position (especially on this team), and Nunez has played pretty well in the minors. Matt Hall was given opportunities, unfortunately it didn’t work out. I’m excited to see what Nunez can do.
Agreed Bob. Plus may as well get one more premier draft pick.
The Tigers would love for Boyd to pitch like an All Star in the first half and be a top trade chip in July. They need bats so bad. They have little power in the present lineup and barely any in the minors.
Haha. Avila asked for Gleyber for this guy. Comical.
Taz it’s already best to shoot high and settle lower, it’s called negotiation.
Listen, don’t let Neil short change us. I took him over to Eat N Park and bought him a smiley cookie, but the son of a gun wasn’t budging. He really wanted me to pay him with something other than Seven Springs coupons. The nerve.