Headlines

  • Cardinals To Select Jordan Walker
  • Mets Option Brett Baty, Mark Vientos
  • Luke Voit Opts Out Of Minor League Deal With The Brewers
  • Mets Sign Dylan Bundy To Minor League Deal
  • Reds Acquire Will Benson From Guardians
  • Cardinals Sign Miles Mikolas To Two-Year Extension
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Tom Koehler Retires

By Steve Adams | March 2, 2020 at 10:36am CDT

Right-hander Tom Koehler, in camp with the Pirates as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, announced his retirement from baseball on Instagram this morning. The 33-year-old Koehler says he’s looking forward to “starting [his] next chapter in the game,” whenever and whatever that may hold. For now, it seems as though he’ll take some time with his family.

Tom Koehler

From 2013-16, Koehler was a solid and durable constant at the back of the Marlins’ rotation, averaging 30 starts per season while pitching to a 4.14 ERA with averages of 6.8 strikeouts, 3.7 walks and 1.0 home runs per nine innings pitched. He struggled early in the 2017 season and found himself traded to the Blue Jays, with whom he posted an intriguing 15-game relief stint (2.65 ERA, 18-to-6 K/BB ratio in 17 innings). That showing prompted the Dodgers to take a look at Koehler in the offseason with the hope that he could transform his career as a late-inning bullpen piece.

Instead, Koehler was beset by shoulder injuries in 2018. After spending more than half the season trying to rehab an anterior capsule strain and make his Dodgers debut, Koehler underwent surgery that ended his 2018 season. He never threw a pitch at the MLB level for the Dodgers. He signed with the Pirates both last offseason and earlier this winter but wasn’t able to get back onto the hill.

It’s a tough way to end a playing career, although as an 18th-round senior sign back in 2008, Koehler exceeded any and all expectations. The Stony Brook alum pitched in 161 Major League games, totaling 784 1/3 innings of 4.39 ERA ball along the way. Koehler’s 36-55 record is more an indictment on the sub-par Marlins rosters surrounding him for much of his career than on his own abilities on the mound. He was generally a serviceable option, twice leading the club in games started and once leading them in innings pitched. Koehler was never a household name but pitched into his arbitration years, helping him to secure more than $12MM in total salary. Best wishes to Koehler in whatever path he next pursues.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Los Angeles Dodgers Miami Marlins Pittsburgh Pirates Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Retirement Tom Koehler

Mariners’ Matt Festa To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Main
Steven Brault Shut Down With Shoulder Issue
View Comments (29)

Comments

  1. 13yearoldbaseballfanatic

    3 years ago

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…………..
    He was good for the Jays in 2017…

    Reply
    • stewartnbuck

      3 years ago

      sounds like a good candidate for the Angels rotation

      Reply
      • Mjm117

        3 years ago

        And for the Fish. Super competitor. Wish him well.

        Reply
    • Freddy H

      3 years ago

      Wasn’t aware he got an invite with the bucs.

      Reply
  2. ForestCobraAL

    3 years ago

    shoulder injuries

    Reply
  3. GONEcarlo

    3 years ago

    Been a fan of Tom ever since his days as “The Big Salad.” Best of luck in your post-playing career!

    Reply
  4. PapiElf

    3 years ago

    I have a vague memory of him being very good out of the Blue Jays bullpen in 2017 for some reason.

    Reply
    • BigFred

      3 years ago

      I have no memory of him being on the Dodgers. LOL

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        3 years ago

        you mean “under contract with the Dodgers”

        Reply
      • socalblake

        3 years ago

        If I remember correctly, he was with the Dodgers for one day, but didn’t play.

        Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    feel like he could have been a nice pen arm if he ever got healthy.

    Reply
  6. vincent k. mcmahon

    3 years ago

    Goodbye old friend, may the good retirement be with you.

    Reply
  7. hozie007

    3 years ago

    Considering he was an 18th Rounder….good career, made a few bucks…better than lot’s of 1st rounders. Good luck

    Reply
  8. mattblaze13

    3 years ago

    Always nice to see a fellow New Yorker make it to the big leagues. Not easy to get drafted out of the Northeast.

    Reply
  9. st1300b

    3 years ago

    Between Koehler and that Indians outfielder…. Bucs wasted millions on guys who never saw the field. Small market teams can’t afford those kinds of spending errors.

    Reply
  10. LH

    3 years ago

    Bryce Harper used to own this guy.

    Reply
    • stretch123

      3 years ago

      One of the few he owns…

      Reply
  11. Ruben_Tomorrow

    3 years ago

    Nobody threw the kitchen sink at batters better than Koehler.

    Reply
  12. mpmks

    3 years ago

    Don’t think non roster invitees cost all that much.

    Reply
  13. dynamite drop in monty

    3 years ago

    Bold move, Koehler.

    Reply
  14. mlbnyyfan

    3 years ago

    I’m sure the Yankees will talk him out of retirement. That’s what Cashman does shops on the clearance racks. Yankees should of signed Wheeler and MadBum instead of one Cole.

    Reply
  15. tyler saladino

    3 years ago

    the 2014 marlins had a sneaky good/sneaky consistent rotation with fernandez, alvarez, cosart, and koehler. they couldn’t really figure out the fifth spot, but TK was always a good back end piece. i wish fiers never drilled stanton in the face and we could’ve maybe seen fernandez pitch in the playoffs. good luck TK

    Reply
    • stretch123

      3 years ago

      One of the more underrated rotations for sure. Alvarez was a great No 2 behind Fernandez. If Fish had a guy like Volquez in the rotation also, they would’ve definitely made the playoffs.

      Reply
  16. formerdraftpick

    3 years ago

    That stinks. He was the Pirates best performing pitcher.

    Reply
  17. D0m

    3 years ago

    That is what playing for the Pirates is like, you just want it too end.

    Reply
  18. neurogame

    3 years ago

    Is it safe to say Koehler decided to flush his comeback?

    Reply
  19. George Ruth

    3 years ago

    Koehler was done last off season especially since he didn’t step on the mound at all for the Dodgers

    Reply
  20. Briffle

    3 years ago

    Honestly, I did not realize he was a decent starter for that long. Solid career, enjoy retirement.

    Reply
  21. thekid9

    3 years ago

    All these comments for him?
    Winter time keeps too many people inside.
    Get out of that basement and go for a walk.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Cardinals To Select Jordan Walker

    Mets Option Brett Baty, Mark Vientos

    Luke Voit Opts Out Of Minor League Deal With The Brewers

    Mets Sign Dylan Bundy To Minor League Deal

    Reds Acquire Will Benson From Guardians

    Cardinals Sign Miles Mikolas To Two-Year Extension

    Keston Hiura Will Not Make Brewers’ Roster

    Rhys Hoskins Diagnosed With Torn ACL, Will Undergo Surgery

    Jed Lowrie Announces Retirement

    Jose Altuve To Miss About Two Months Due To Thumb Surgery

    Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar

    Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake

    Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch

    Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon

    Out Of Options 2023

    Cade Cavalli To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Edwin Diaz Helped Off Field With Right Knee Injury

    José Quintana Out Until At Least July Due To Rib Surgery

    Trevor Bauer Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

    Craig Stammen “Highly Unlikely” To Pitch Again Following Shoulder Injury

    Recent

    Cardinals To Select Jordan Walker

    Nationals Announce Several Roster Cuts

    Guardians Acquire Steve Hajjar From Reds To Complete Will Benson Trade

    Joey Votto May Begin Season On Injured List

    Rockies To Select Mike Moustakas, Ty Blach, Harold Castro

    Mets Option Brett Baty, Mark Vientos

    Cardinals Select Taylor Motter; Option Juan Yepez, Génesis Cabrera And JoJo Romero

    Twins Release Six Players

    Robert Suarez Likely Headed To Injured List

    Giants To Select Roberto Pérez

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version