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Tigers Release Zack Godley

By Steve Adams | July 13, 2020 at 7:52am CDT

The Tigers announced this morning that they’ve released right-hander Zack Godley. He’d been in Spring Training and Summer Camp as a non-roster player, though he seemed to have a reasonable chance of making the club. Godley’s initial deal was worth up to $3MM after incentives and allowed him to elect free agency at season’s end even though he’d normally have been arbitration-eligible. That was surely a notable incentive for the 30-year-old, but it seems the Tigers’ thought process has changed. MLB.com’s Jason Beck tweets that Godley had an opt-out prior to Opening Day anyhow, and the team wanted to give him some extra time to find a new club.

Godley has spent the vast majority of his career with the Diamondbacks, for whom he racked up 520 2/3 innings from 2015-19. His best season came back in 2017, when he spun 155 innings of 3.37 ERA ball with 9.6 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 0.87 HR/9 and a 55.3 percent ground-ball rate. He followed that up with a career-high 178 1/3 frames and a 4.74 ERA (3.82 FIP) in 2018.

Last season, however, Godley’s strikeout rate and ground-ball rate plummeted. His sinker sat at just 90 mph after averaging 91.9 mph in that strong 2017 season, and hitters were able to elevate the ball against him like never before (11.1 percent launch angle in ’19; 3.1 percent in ’17). The end result was an ERA north of 6.00 in 76 innings with the D-backs, although he did post better results upon landing with the Blue Jays (3.94 ERA in 16 innings).

All told, Godley has experience in parts of five Major League seasons, during which time he’s pitched to a 4.70 ERA (4.13 FIP, 4.07 xFIP) with averages of 8.6 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and 1.04 HR/9. His sinker didn’t have its usual effectiveness last year, but half the balls put into play against Godley since his MLB debut have been put on the ground. For a team in need of some rotation depth and/or a long relief option, Godley could certainly hold some appeal. With three-plus years of MLB service time, he’d be controllable through the 2022 season (barring a similar clause to the one he had with Detroit,  allowing him to hit free agency early).

From the Tigers’ vantage point, Godley seemed like a long shot to make the rotation after a long delay, as the extra down time gave righty Michael Fulmer time to recover from Tommy John surgery. Fulmer will join Matthew Boyd, Spencer Turnbull, Jordan Zimmermann and offseason signee Ivan Nova on Detroit’s starting staff, though Godley could’ve given them a sixth starter/long relief type of arm early in the year. His release could open the door for another option like Hector Santiago or Nick Ramirez. Eventually, the Tigers may call upon a top pitching prospect like Casey Mize, Matt Manning or Tarik Skubal to get an audition.

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Detroit Tigers Transactions Zack Godley

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47 comments
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Comments

  1. justinwatry

    7 months ago

    MIGUEL CABRERA IS GOING TO HIT 30 HOMERUNS AND STEAL 15 BASES WHILE HAVING A 400 AVERAGE.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • racosun

      7 months ago

      I love shrooms too.

      6 Like
      Reply
    • jneumann

      7 months ago

      YES

      Like
      Reply
    • vincent k. mcmahon

      7 months ago

      Cabrera hauls a trailer behind him on the base paths. He’s stolen 0 bases the last 4 seasons so it’s highly unlikely he gets 15. He did try and get one in 17 but he got hosed.

      Like
      Reply
    • looiebelongsinthehall

      6 months ago

      In only 30 games since he’ll be on the injured list half the time.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Manfredsajoke

      6 months ago

      When your tanking why spend more money. I’m surprised Cabrera hasn’t been traded.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • WarkMohlers

        6 months ago

        The amount they would have to eat just to get rid of him for nothing in return wouldnt be worth it. Just need to run him out there and hope there is some production to put people in the stands. Plus hope he can provide some mentoring to younger guys.

        Like
        Reply
        • metsfan68

          6 months ago

          And as long as he’s steroid free he goes in the h.o.f. as a tiger with no bad feelings

          1 Like
          Reply
        • whosyourmomma

          6 months ago

          I’m guessing there’s a good chance that he’s not PED free (no positive tests yet though). He was a somewhat skinny kid on Marlins, got on juice putting on prolly extra 30-40 lbs of muscle and became a beast, but he’s become lazy fat last 4 years or so.

          Like
          Reply
        • stymeedone

          6 months ago

          Get your facts straight. He got injured. The knee will be a lingering problem, but he did lose weight and he should show more power this year.

          Like
          Reply
        • racosun

          6 months ago

          He was 20 when he won a WS, and was only “skinny” compared to last season. Miggy used to taunt Bonds over his roiding, doubt he did them himself.

          1 Like
          Reply
      • hiflew

        6 months ago

        They need to create two separate leagues. One major league for teams that try and one for team that don’t. Sort of like a AAAA league. The major league should have a salary floor and a salary cap. The AAAA league should have those also, except it would be around 50% lower. Teams can opt in or opt out after the end of the season for the next season, but they can’t spend any more than 2 years in a row in the AAAA league.

        This whole complete teardown rebuild thing has just gotten ridiculous. I cannot believe ans are willing to wait 5 years or more to watch teams not even trying win while trying to collect minor leaguers in the hopes that they might get lucky and win for 2-3 years before they have to start the whole process over again.

        Like
        Reply
        • johnrealtime

          6 months ago

          Sounds similar to the way that soccer is handled in europe. I’d support the worst team going to AAA and getting replaced with the best AAA team each year

          Like
          Reply
        • Hard to walk with four balls

          6 months ago

          The Tigers went on a decade long tear. it wasn’t 2-3 years.

          Also they went from second worst in 2003 to the WS in 2006.

          Relax and enjoy the game.

          Like
          Reply
    • davidkaner

      6 months ago

      That’s awesome! So the time machine is up and working!

      Like
      Reply
  2. pinballwizard1969pinballwizard1969

    7 months ago

    Look for the Red Sox to pick up Godley. They still have 10 open spots for their Summer Camp pool.

    Like
    Reply
    • SoxRewl

      6 months ago

      One could hope, he’s certainly good enough to fill some much needed innings for them.

      1 Like
      Reply
  3. detroitfan69

    7 months ago

    Jordan Zimmerman to be released next watch for it as Tigers go full youth in this sham season

    2 Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      7 months ago

      its amazing he is still on the roster

      3 Like
      Reply
      • mcmillankmm

        7 months ago

        He’ll be there just to eat innings this season

        1 Like
        Reply
      • BSHH

        7 months ago

        Keeping Zimmermann saved the Tigers millions of dollars, since his salary now is only pro-rated. There is even less reason to release him now.

        Gruß,
        BSHH

        2 Like
        Reply
        • Patrick OKennedy

          7 months ago

          A valid point.
          Best case scenario is Zimmermann has a hot start and can be unloaded for a prospect who might be worth something eventually- or not.

          Like
          Reply
        • DarkSide830

          6 months ago

          true, good point

          Like
          Reply
    • davidkaner

      6 months ago

      The Tigers better hope they play or the league could do something like extending the contracts one year. Not paying him all year has been awesome.

      Like
      Reply
  4. joefriday14

    7 months ago

    This is the worst news of the summer for the Tigers who have a porous pitching staff and holes elsewhere. Losing Godley, who many thought would be the ace of the staff, helps the Tigers maintain their “worst in baseball” lineup as they try for the first round pick in next years draft.

    Like
    Reply
    • YouCannnnnPutItOnTheBoard

      7 months ago

      ^^^ Matthew Boyd has entered the chat..

      3 Like
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        7 months ago

        yeah gosh. i dont think Boyd will play up to his 2019 1st half self, but who ever said Godley was the ace?

        2 Like
        Reply
        • Patrick OKennedy

          7 months ago

          I don’t know anyone who thought that Godley would even make the rotation, let along become the ACE of the staff.

          This opens up a spot for maybe Parker Meadows or another young player to hang out with the big leaguers.

          Boyd would be a legit all star if he’d get the HR’s under control. Big IF.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • AZPat

          6 months ago

          Mrs. Godley

          Like
          Reply
    • stymeedone

      6 months ago

      @joefriday
      With Zimmerman, Boyd, Novoa, Fulmer, Turnbull, and Norris, the best Godley could have hoped for was bullpen duty.

      Like
      Reply
  5. whyhayzee

    7 months ago

    “source your news independently”

    Funny.

    Like
    Reply
    • Halo11Fan

      6 months ago

      What’s not accurate about it?

      I’ll start being concerned for the players when one is actually hospitalized.

      The press is over hyping this. It is the worst pandemic in a hundred years. But for the most part, its discriminant who it kills. If it killed indiscriminately, I’d be a lot more worried.

      I think a vaccine will come out this year and by next year at this time, except for the small businesses that have closed, this disease will be a memory.

      1 Like
      Reply
  6. flmetfan

    6 months ago

    Is there an opening for a “ chat monitor “? I’m a Catholic Schools product, taught by nuns of the BVM, so I know what a metal edge ruler feels like on knuckles when a person has spoken inappropriately.

    Like
    Reply
  7. Dorothy_Mantooth

    6 months ago

    And Texas is also home to the 30 year old genius who attended a COVID party to see who could catch the disease first and the poor guy not only caught it, but he just recently died from it too. If everyone would just wear a mask and be smart, we could actually beat this monster.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Halo11Fan

      6 months ago

      Lots of “idiots” out there, they are not confined to Texas.

      I’ve been advocating wearing a mask for months. I can’t believe the push back.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • CrikesAlready

      6 months ago

      Considering his multiple preexisting conditions, he was a complete idiot. Darwin wins another bet in the afterlife.

      1 Like
      Reply
  8. bighiggy

    6 months ago

    If the tigers would take dexter fowler and brett cecil, and eat some money, wouldnt mind seeing Cabrera dh for the cards

    Like
    Reply
  9. warnbeeb

    6 months ago

    If they actually play…the Tigers are going to be better than expected. They will cut Zimmerman after he goes 0-3 in his first 3 starts with a 9.00 ERA. The rotation settles in with 5-6 guys, Boyd, Norris, Fulmer, Turnbull, Alexander and Manning (will replace Zim).

    Gardenhire is perfect for this kind of team.

    Cabrera will be productive. Cron and Schoop will be productive. The big surprises will be Victor Reyes and Harold Castro. They will get some production at 3rd base….but it will be Niko Goodrum over there instead of Candelario or Lugo.

    The outfield will be Stewart, Reyes and Maybin. Castro is the super sub. Jacoby Jones the 4th OF’er.

    Biggest weakness will be the Tigers still won’t get any offense from behind the plate.

    Like
    Reply
    • wild bill tetley

      6 months ago

      Regardless of what they do in 2020, they have to find out who’s going to play what for 2021. With their rotation’s potential they could be movers and shakers this offseason along with, maybe, a Torkelson callup next May. Tigers could be a team on the rise. Could.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • oldleftylong

        6 months ago

        Will be a team on the rise, … post Jacoby Jones.

        Like
        Reply
        • wild bill tetley

          6 months ago

          And whatever the return will be for Boyd.

          Like
          Reply
        • stymeedone

          6 months ago

          With the Tigers getting close, it’s not time to be trading away established young talent, like Boyd. It’s time to look at extensions.

          Like
          Reply
        • wild bill tetley

          6 months ago

          By the time you’re close it’s 2022. People think Boyd has upside and he’s a 3 or 4 on a good team. You deal him at his peak and make a killing. Keeping him would be a big mistake and Avila should be replaced if he can’t get a deal done.

          Like
          Reply
    • not alkaline

      6 months ago

      I like the way you think warnbeeb

      Like
      Reply
      • warnbeeb

        6 months ago

        With all this horse ka ka around there has to be a pony nearby!

        Like
        Reply
    • stymeedone

      6 months ago

      @warnbeeb
      Goodrum will be the SS, because they don’t really have any other impactful option. Candelario and Lugo will get first shot at 3B as they are running out of chances, and it would be better to let Paredes take over next year. Romine will be better at C than last year’s group. JaCoby will be the CF with Reyes in RF and Maybin and Stewart platooning in LF. It will be a make or break year for Stewart and JaCoby, as well.
      The offense will still be weak, but improved over last year. Starting pitching will have depth, but after Jimenez there is no sure thing in the bullpen. Just looking for steps in the right direction.

      Like
      Reply
  10. CrikesAlready

    6 months ago

    .

    Like
    Reply

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