The Tigers have designated right-hander Buck Farmer for assignment, according to multiple reports. The move opens a spot on the 40-man roster for Drew Hutchison, as the right-hander’s minor league contract will be selected so he can start tomorrow’s game against the Indians.
Detroit previously designated Farmer back in May, and he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A before his contact was again selected in June. It’s been a rough year for Farmer, who has a 6.37 ERA over 35 1/3 innings, with an inflated 20.5% homer rate and 12.3% walk rate contributing to those struggles. However, a clear line can be drawn between Farmer’s performance before and after his first DFA — the righty had a garish 12.66 ERA in 10 2/3 IP in April and May, but has a much more respectable 3.65 ERA in 24 2/3 IP since returning to the big league roster in June.
Given this recent good form, Farmer’s decent numbers out of the Tigers’ bullpen from 2018-20, and the number of contenders who could use relief help, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Farmer was claimed during this latest trip on the DFA waiver wire. He also has the option of declining another outright assignment in order to test free agency.
A fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft, Farmer has spent his entire pro career in the Tigers organization, including eight big league seasons. There have been plenty of ups and downs, though Farmer seemed to have found a niche after becoming a full-time reliever in 2018. The 30-year-old is earning $1.85MM this season and has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining before being eligible for free agency following the 2022 campaign.
Hutchison signed a minor league deal with the Tigers last winter, and his start will mark his first Major League game since 2018. Perhaps best known for his early-career status as a promising starter in the Blue Jays organization, Hutchison was beset by a Tommy John surgery and never really lived up to his potential, bouncing around to several teams at the major and minor league levels, as well as some independent teams. Hutchison has a 5.10 ERA over 460 1/3 career innings in the Show in parts of five MLB seasons, and he has a solid 3.63 ERA in 84 1/3 IP for Triple-A Toledo this year.
Farmer is one of a number of expendable pitchers, but he’s not the worst of the lot in the Tigers’ bullpen. He allowed no runs in 14 of his last 16 appearances, including the last five. He was/ is a good bet to be non tendered with one year of arbitration remaining.
Is Derreck Holland really more valuable than any pitcher with remaining control, even Buck Farmer?
Holland has no future. At least with Farmer there is potential.
Buck farmer is 30 years old, what exactly is his potential smh.
I would have went with Ian Krol myself.
Why not let Farmer start? Hutch hasn’t been in the league since 2018, being stretched out can’t be that valuable if you get knocked out early. Weird move from a last place team
As of Sunday night, 11 out of first and 1 out of second. Twins and Royals help make them 7 out of last. Weak division, but no longer a last place team.
Cheers to Tyler Gilbert in his first MLB start
Not only a no-hitter but a three-pitch inning in the 8th. Quite a couple of accomplishments.
The Padres have lost the first three games of this series. Yikes.
The only NLW juggernaut to be no hit next is the Giants… can Scherzer do it?
Padres’ ain’t juggernauting these days. It could be a wild race for the wildcard. This is the biggest challenge of Tingler’s managerial career so far. A talented team, obviously, but they need to stop the bleeding soon.
Scherzer has the Mets tomorrow 🙂
Did you notice next week’s NL East schedule? While the Mets play seven road games against the Giants (3) and Dodgers (4), the Braves have three apiece in Miami and Baltimore.
Yeah, I definitely like the Braves schedule better. However,the Marlins pitching staff can definitely keep them in any game. The NL East is going to be pretty competitive for the foreseeable future.
Hutchison hasn’t changed as far as I can tell. Still a AAAA guy that should go to the NPB or KBO.
Not sure exactly what they’re doing here. I suspect a way to limit the work load for the rookie pitchers. Maybe a six man rotation, or maybe lets them alternate skipping some starts I doubt if Hutchinson replaces anyone in the rotation.
That’s exactly what is going on. After an abbreviated 2020 season, the Tigers announced they are trying to limit the innings of their “Big Three” rookie pitchers (Mize, Skubal, Manning).
Sucks for farmer, he’s been in Detroit throughout the long night and as soon as there is a glimmer of sunlight he is DFA’d.
Based on numbers it should be Holland not buck. AA continues to baffle
Odd. There’s others I would have jettisoned before him.
Tigers should ring up Edwin Jackson a third time and they’ll have a 90% increase to make the postseason.
Bring him home to the Braves! Might need to be a minor league deal or whatever whenever, but he needs to be a Brave
Drew Hutchison? How long has it been?
Sorry to see Buck Farmer go, but I could see it coming. He should get snagged by a contender and get some meaningful innings in the playoff hunt. Hope he does well and I’ll keep following.
Side story….5-6 years ago I was at a Yankees-Tigers ST game in Fla and Farmer mowed down the Bombers for 2-3 innings. Yankee fans all around me were asking, “Who is that guy?” I’ve followed Farmer Buck ever since.
He is better than jimenez.
Why is Joe Jimenez on the MLB roster?
Does BUCK FARMER, on his farm, does he =
Raise adult male deer?
Raise adult male rabbits?
Raise adult male antelopes?
Breed BUCKing Broncos?
Plant and grow BUCK Wheat?
Or does he =
Spring into the air with the back arched?
Have a fall-back job with BUCK Knives in Idaho?
Make short thick leather-covered blocks for gymnastic vaulting?
Make clothing articles out of BUCK skin?
Run around BUCK naked?
Resume reading his library of literature authored by Pearl S BUCK?
Resume his card game referencing the object used to mark the next player to deal?
Grow tired of trying to BUCK the MLB System?
Pass the BUCK on his lack of long term MLB success?
BUCK for advancement with his next organization (sometimes without regard to ethical behavior)?
Continue in his quest to cultivate and grow the elusive MLB Money Tree?
Or does the BUCK stop here?
Does Farmer just say, BUCK IT ?