We’ll round up a few stories and notes from around the American League on this Christmas afternoon.
- Cavan Biggio could be in line to bounce around the diamond next season for the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old has no problem donning different gloves, he tells Kaitlyn McGrath of the Athletic. Biggio came up as a second baseman, although questions about his defense there dogged him consistently as a prospect. Last year, Biggio logged MLB starts at first base, second base, left field, and right field, although most of his work indeed came at the keystone. Now, he’d be amenable to logging time at third base and/or in center field next season, too. General Manager Ross Atkins has previously floated Biggio as a possibility to help solidify the Jays’ questionable center field mix, McGrath notes. Manager Charlie Montoyo will surely be looking for ways to get Biggio’s potent bat into the lineup. Thanks to elite plate discipline, Biggio compiled a strong .234/.364/.429 line (114 wRC+) as a rookie.
- First-year Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush sat down for a Q&A with Jen McCaffrey of the Athletic. He explains that the organization reached out to him to replace Dana LeVangie, rather than his ardently pursuing the position. That should ensure some continuity on the pitching side, as Bush has spent the past three seasons in Boston’s player development department. The longtime Brewer reiterated that Chris Sale is back on a normal offseason program and praised new signee Martín Pérez’s reliability. He also hinted that the organization could further tinker with Pérez’s pitch mix in hopes of unlocking some upside. A new cutter helped Pérez jump off to a fast start in 2019 with the Twins, but a brutal second half led Minnesota to decline his team option.
- The Tigers aren’t actively looking to move staff ace Matthew Boyd, who still has three years of team control remaining. With the free agent market for starting pitching drying up, however, it’s natural to wonder if the teams who lost out on the top hurlers could reengage the Tigers on one of baseball’s prime trade candidates. One such team is the Angels, who have added Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran to their rotation, but still have room to upgrade. The club is monitoring the trade market, Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com tweeted Monday, but the Angels and Tigers haven’t had any recent discussions on Boyd. Of course, there’s ample time for the sides to recommence talks regarding the 28-year-old, who ranked 11th among starters (minimum 100 innings) in strikeout minus walk rate in 2019.
MLBTR Commenter
Merry Christmas! The Astros cheated.
jr.white
Merry Christmas! Epstein didn’t kill himself.
StandUpGuy
Haha. Matthew Boyd just got referred to as “staff ace.” Hahahaha. Man, that team is beyond terrible.
jneumann
Sadly
RedSox4Life4ever
And it looks like the Tigers held on to him too long just like they did with Fulmer.
MLBTRS
…as every team is at one time or another, so what comes around…
ball
So true !
StandUpGuy
Yeah… I mean, I guess Lysander. I don’t really buy it though. Not THIS bad. I can’t remember the last time the Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves, Dodgers or Yankees were THIS bad. Keep in mind that the Tigers were a 119 loss team not too long ago while all those teams were still winning. Now those teams are better and the Tigers are a 114 loss team with zero championships to show between those horrific seasons. I actually remember watching Detroit celebrate on game 162 of the 119 loss season when they didn’t lose and tie the all time worse record of 120 losses in a season. They got better after that but never won it. Now they are back to 114 losses. I mean… That is pretty bad. Not every team gets THIS bad and certainly few teams get THIS bad THIS frequently while winning exactly zero world championships over a 4+ decade span.
Kayrall
I can’t see anyone truly believing that Boyd is anything more than a #4.
Stat_head
The Red Sox went 84 yrs between WS titles. From ‘84 to ‘19 the Yankees went to the WS once, Tigers went twice & beat the Yankees all 3 times they met them in the post season. The Braves have won 1 WS in the last 40 yrs, same as the Tigers. You might want to actually look at a few stats before making these comments.
implant
96, 98-01, 03, and 09. Me thinks the Yankees have been to the WS more than once between 84 and 19
StandUpGuy
Yeah… I’m gonna just have to go ahead and openly call “stathead” an idiot. Are implant and I the only ones that just noticed stathead said the Yankees have only been to 1 World Series in the past 35 years? Assuming you can get away with a lie like that is just plain stupid. I watched those Yanks win the WS in person in ’96 and ’99 and saw even more on TV. How do you win so many WS while appearing in only 1? What a loser. I bet he stops talking now. Lies only get you so far.
flashtray
I’d say it’s time for a new username. 86 years, The Yankees went 7 times between 84-19.
SportsFan0000
Boyd is a #1 or #2 on many times.
Phillies or another NL team wouild love to have the strikeout ace.
He struck out 13+ Yankees at Yankee stadium.
Playing for a contender, his game would go up several notches…
Stat_head
Typo on my part. Meant 04-19. Obviously the Yankees had numerous teams, especially in the ‘90s, that won the WS. However, only the 09 team in the period StandUp mentions for the Tigers (the ‘03 119 loss season & the ‘15 115 loss season).
Stat_head
I had a typo, 84 instead of 04. From 04 the statement is accurate. You’re still an idiot.
Dkaner
He’s the ACE on that team numb nuts. He’s a middle of the rotation guy with a shot at number 2 on a good team. He is a natural fit on the Angels who have no pitching whatsoever. Boyd would upgrade that staff immediately and win 15 games easy. He eats innings, he K’s everyone, and his salary is 6.4 million and with three years of control, is likely got cost under 10 million in 2021 and 2022. The Angels have 3 studs in the OF now, a STUD OF top prospect on the way so they have 2 other top OF prospects that are better than what the Tigers currently have and the Angels missed out on all the top FA’s. They can’t simply try to do what the Yankees tried and failed to do. Hitting is great in the regular season in the heat of the summer but into the fall, you better have pitching. Hitters get cold and pitchers step it up a notch. Angels can actually win with a guy like Boyd and he will not come that expensive relative to what the top teams paid. 3 years of control, under 10 million per year, can strikeout 10 a game so what else do you want from a pitcher. Stop looking at his stats when he’s on the worst team in the league the last 3 years and will lose 100 again this year. Trade for Boyd and the Angels are much better and for prospects that have zero chance of being on that team for 3 years. It’s a smart move and the Angels just need to take a chance.
SportsFan0000
Boyd is in the top 5 in baseball in strikeouts to walk ratio.
Included on that list is Verlander and Scherzer…
What happened when guys like Verlander and Scherzer left the Tigers?!
They became even better pitchers when they went from a rebuilding team to a contending team.
Their ERAs both went down.
They received much better defense and run support.
Boyd may not be a younger version of those two.
But looking at the Angels staff, realistically and with out a “homer hat”,
Boyd could be your #2 with a chance at being a #1 with the right team, the right pitching coach, the right defense and run support, the right bullpen so he does not have to stay out there too long and can maximize his peak effectiveness etc.
If I am the Angels, Astros, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers, Dodgers, Padres etc,
I am “all over Boyd”…
Boyd would also fit on the revamped White Sox .
White Sox may have to pay a premium of young players/prospects to land Boyd from their Division Rival Tigers.
If Boyd is not traded and/or if the offers fall short, then watch Boyd have a great 1st half and make the AL All Star team…
Then, the Trade deadline price will go up on Boyd.
OtisSnord
The Tigers aren’t interested in prospects who won’t make the team for 3 years, and the Angels would be idiots to trade Adell or Marsh. And that’s why there won’t be a Boyd trade to the Angels.
yogineely
Thank you, and to you and your family as well! The Astros* cheated
casperkk
Astros 2017 world champions*
friendly illinois brethren
*The 2017 Houston Astros relied on stealing signs throughout the 2017 season.
jneumann
They still won, and they aren’t getting their titles taken away so haha loser
casperkk
Technically you’re right.they’re only getting the * added to their 2017 title.
Maybe they’ll become the New England Patriots of baseball. 🙂
AtlSoxFan
Become?
Ohtani-san
*yet
Robstars
some of it has tp be on the catcher and the manager for letting other teams figure it out
Personally i think the pitcher and catcher should be able to verbally communicate the signs ! when teams win the world series by stealing signs. its time for a complete change through out the league !
Robstars
blue tooth headphones that allow the catcher to communicate with the pitcher, call out the next pitch like a quarterback does before the snap!
Eatdust666
Merry Christmas! 9/11 was an inside job.
kdevry
How is the weather in Afghanistan? Loser
Dodgethis
It really was an inside job. You think a bunch of towel heads from the middle of nowhere managed it? Bin laden was a CIA agent for decades. Grow up.
BobSacamano
What’s more amazing is your belief no one in the Middle East can 1 fly a jet airliner and 2 engineer a terrorist act. Having CIA ties and actually employed by the CIA are two completely separate things. You know who else has ties to the CIA? The five families. Maybe it was an inside job, but those ‘towel heads’ are still intelligent human beings.
5toolMVP
Merry Christmas!
Marner#16
5 tool ,
Tool
windycitykid89
You know you’re in the MLB section, right Marner? Go back to the NHL section where you “belong”.
pasha2k
What bothers me is after all the ? trade talk surrounding Price, n it not happening. What kinda attitude will he bring to camp if he does move?
dynamite drop in monty
Probably the same attitude he’s always had. A poor one.
deweybelongsinthehall
LOL. Seriously, while I’d like transactions so we could see what we really have, Bloom is during his due diligence waiting out the market to hopefully strengthen his position. If there have been offers for Price and JBJ that he liked, he would have pulled the trigger. He has orders and cannot overplay his hand.
G20pork
never heard about this “attitude” before he played in Boston.
darkstar61
Yes, we did.
Search Price and “Sweet questions, nerds,” you can read all about one of his such moments from around 2013
dynamite drop in monty
Yes we did. And I’m a fan of his. I was happy when the Sox signed him and I’ve rooted for him even with his multiple face palm moments w the team, especially his handling of the whole Eck situation. I was real happy to see him succeed and be part of the 18 team …. but it’s painfully obvious the guy has a sour, pissy and disagreeable disposition. I hear he’s a great teammate but he doesn’t do his image any favors.
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
Exactly…David Price was able to get away with being a dik when he was an ace.
Then he decided to be a dik to a 62 year old Hall of Famer…
Who’s mental toughness is legendary…while his own lack of mental toughness is also legendary…
dirkg
Appreciate the info Darkstar. I knew about the recent Eck stuff, but didnt realize some of the early Rays Twitter jabs he and his gf let loose. It increasingly doesnt surprise me the Sox want out of that contract.
kenny217
The negative stories always involve the media and not teammates. So who cares.
pasha2k
Boston brings out the best…..grinz! Only in Boston would a often hurt player dare to verbally attack the Iconic Eck. Believe me, Cashman would get rid of any player who dared the same scenario in NY.
pasha2k
Oh let me amend it, no player in the Evil Empire would ever dare to verbally attack anyone in the press or HOFer. Like I said, only in Boston.
nasrd
He’s a jerk. Always has been. Dombrowsk & Cherington both made some crazy trades and free agent signings
pasha2k
I remember they asked Ortiz if he hadda problem with them signing him, n he said no, sign him. Apparently they used to have issues before he signed in Boston.
jayspoon
He’s gonna go on the DL.. I mean IL… For hurt feelings. Lol.
NewYorkSoxFan
Guessing you meant to say “doesn’t”. But Price has an attitude about him regardless of rumors. Let’s just hope He gets moved.
AtlSoxFan
Price understands the business side of being a ballplayer. He’s no Manny.
Marner#16
Pasha ,
Your a tool. Who cares he’s getting paid either way!
DarkSide830
i doubt it will be an issue. he’d probably rather stay in Boston knowing they will contend again.
steve dolan
Price is difficult to move and difficult to keep. Just the way he is.
keysox
Angels have $60m in two players.
Won’t it be better to get Cole @ 35, Wheeler @ 20 and Lyles @ 8 ???
Philliesfan4life
they could trade for robbie ray?
NewYorkSoxFan
Trout and Rendon are money well spent I wouldn’t trade that investment for about anything.
jdodson1822
I would trade Rendon for Cole (contracts) every day of the week. Angels need to win now and they needed SP now
larry48
That no happening , angles are 4th best team in AL west.
Geno55
I don’t know about that 9 years it is a death sentence
Geno55
Are you a psychic.?
you’re killing me Larry
DarkSide830
you know what he means. theyll likely be 4th because there are 3 better teams in the division on paper. period.
Ejemp2006
On paper, the As are the worst team in the west. Until you factor in their ability to turn guys like Coco Crisp, Marcus Simein, and Mike Fiers into stars level players.
Geno55
Most likely on paper what about chemistry Litte Lady Luck a lot of Angels players hit the DL last year don’t you think the death of Tyler Skaggs had something to do Towards the end of the season
bush1
The Angels were awful way before Skaggs Passed.
ShieldF123
Please stop invoking Tyler Skaggs and the IL as the entire reason the Angels were bad.
They were bad when Skaggs was still pitching, and I didn’t see the IL bury teams like the Yankees last year who had far more player get hurt
Geno55
Hey Shierld123 & bush1
On June 28 the Angels record was 42 and 41 one game over 500 This was before Tyler Skaggs death before all the injuries so Mori do your research next time Instead of talking trash
Geno55
the angels Weren’t playing that bad not like how you make it sound no compassion for the death Tyler Skaggs definitely impacted the angels the rest of the season
cookmeister 2
Well those two figures for Come and Wheeler are already lower than what they got.. plus Wheeler stated he wanted to be close to family so…
Vizionaire
south chicago must be very close to south new jersey!
TheTrotsky
Lol he signed with the Phillies.
seth3120
Unless you are aware of a higher bid for either Cole or Wheeler they turned down due to geography then I’m personally going to assume they followed the money. All the talk was Cole was a California guy and would end up there. But again he took the money.
OtisSnord
Cole rooted for the Yankees growing up. All the talk about him favoring CA was ignorant. Just like everyone was sure Trout wanted to sign with the Phillies.
iamdb
So do the Yankees…and Houston, Boston (and Detroit, for those who’ll make the argument that it’s all the playoff contenders.) Washington now has 2 at $75m+. Good players are expensive
deweybelongsinthehall
Mostly everyone thought Cole was going West. What’s obvious now is his agenda was rather Yankees and feel good that the Angels forced them to go to nine years. The signing is gold or even platinum now but is more likely to turn to rust towards the end.
Philliesfan4life
It was more of the 324 million offered by the yankees , not the yankees being his preference of choice, I would of taken the deal by the angels or dodgers.
larry48
Dodgers offered 8 years 300 million. They underestimated the market for Cole.
deweybelongsinthehall
The Yankees made the decision they would not be underbid. Bottom line is he wanted to go to New York who was not going to be denied. Word came out early of the Yankees’ position and Boras did the rest. Other bids including the Dodgers forcedNY to go nine years.
halo6219
I rarely believe what that talking heads predict when it comes to “knowing” what players want…they all Speculated very hard and acted like they KNEW Cole wanted to play in ANA despite NEVER actually saying it…he had fond memories of watching games in Anaheim…
Bruin1012
The Yankees bought Cole simple as that if the Angels would of offered the same I believe he would be a Halo now.
It was quite clear when the rumor was the Yankees were preparing a 245 million offer the went to 324 million they were not going to be outbid end of story. They set there sites on Cole and they just showed there financial strength on a player they think is special. Time will tell if the Yankee gamble is a good one.
OtisSnord
Cole rooted for the Yankees growing up. All the talk about him favoring CA was ignorant. Just like everyone was sure Trout wanted to sign with the Phillies.
Bruin1012
Yup that 324 million wasn’t the factor at all you can kid yourself all you want but if the Angels would of offered 324 million he would be a halo now.
Bruin1012
Actually no he wouldn’t be because the Yankees were going to beat anyone’s offer they just paid a pitcher 324 million for 9 years unheard off no one was matching that so no the Yankees bought him.
Appalachian_Outlaw
Geography and childhood fandom are often over utilized when trying to connect players to team. If a guy has 2 offers in hand only a few million apart, maybe it plays a part. Or if it’s a veteran guy on the downside of his career, and he’s made his money, or won his ring, sure, they might more heavily influence his decision? I think players look at money, first and foremost; and then they chance to win. I know if I were a player, I’d be open to just about any team offering me nearly 1/3rd of a billion dollars over a decade.
jdodson1822
Wheeler wasn’t coming out west. Same as MadBum was not going to play anywhere other than AZ
think it thru
Why does EVERY discussion about every team keep coming back to the Angels?
OtisSnord
Because the Angels are the center of the baseball universe.
If this was Twitter, you know 500 people would think I was serious when I said that.
snotrocket
“Ace” Matthew Boyd? Seriously? The guy has a career ERA of almost 5 and has never had a single season under 4.3. Let’s chill on the sensationalism here. I don’t care if his peripherals say he is better than that. Aces prevent runs. This guy doesn’t.
Philliesfan4life
Robbie Ray , I wonder what the Mets would want for Thor. Could go get Taiijuan Walker , They really missed out on Cole , But imo Cole made the wrong choice.
ShieldF123
Cole made the wrong choice? Why, does he enjoy losing?
angelsinthetroutfield
Agreed. The term “Ace” has been used pretty liberally for a while now. Just because a pitcher is the best on their team doesn’t make them an ace. IMO an Ace=elite. Boyd is a solid arm with top of of the rotation potential.
Anthony Franco
Yeah, I meant it more as ‘staff ace’ than to lump him in with the sport’s elite arms. I’ve updated the post to reflect that.
ryanw-2
I, for one, figured it mean staff ace before the correction. When I see the word ace, I think of context. If it’s Cole it’s an elite MLB ace. If it’s Boyd, it’s just the best the Tigers have. I guess some people just don’t connect the dots and need clarification.
braves25
@Anthony Franco
He might be their best pitcher but I still wouldn’t even refer to him as “staff ace”. I would stay as far away from using anything that resembles “ace” and Boyd. I wouldn’t even refer to him as a TOR starter imo.
deweybelongsinthehall
No disrespect meant, just constructive criticism but writers herein have historically used overly aggressive terms IMHO. That said, I love it overall, I just would like to see certain terms like “slashed” to those that deserve it. A .240 hitter didn’t slash anything although thought of his own wrists probably crossed his mind.
deweybelongsinthehall
*reserved to or for those that deserve it,
themustache
Yeesh, tough crowd. Appreciate the work you guys put into the site. If it wasn’t for this app, I wouldn’t know what to do when I’m supposed to be working. Merry Christmas!
humphrey x boegarts
slash is different, it refers to the slash symbol separating the 3 stats. No one does slash .240, but they would slash .240/.320/.450
angelsinthetroutfield
We’re all able to connect the dots but it’s kind of unnecessary isn’t it? There are so many words to describe a pitcher so why should we limit ourselves to that specific one?
MLBTRS
You shouldn’t have had to do that – it should have been assumed by anyone not being contentious. or overly-critical.
deweybelongsinthehall
I’m not referring to “slash line”. So many times it’s posted as the batter slashed… and when I’ve mentioned it in the past, no one responded like you just did Humphrey. Thanks, you’re probably right but I still think the word “slash” without “line” should be reserved for a thumper.
humphrey x boegarts
Yeah if used to be descriptive and not a batter’s slash line then could definitively find a more appropriate adjective.
Dumpster Fire
Just like a guy who throws 195 innings one time in five seasons is a”workhorse.”
carlos15
I guess staff ace on a horrendous staff equals a mediocre pitcher.
DTD_ATL
It clearly says STAFF ace. That doesn’t mean he’s an ace, just the leader of that staff. SMH
OtisSnord
Or maybe, if he’s your best pitcher, you don’t have an ace. Just warm body in the #1 slot.
ForestCobraAL
Matthew Boyd?
Garbage. Fifth starter on a second division team.
Ducey
Shouldn’t you be complaining about how the Jays are too cheap to go after a starting pitchers like Ryu, Cole and the other guys we know they were chasing?
I guess whiners gotta whine.
Just_a_thought
Someone missed a critical memo.
SportsFan0000
Nonsense…
Boyd’s sabermetric numbers are “off the charts”.
Jon Morosi
✔
@jonmorosi
Sources: #Angels interested in trading for #Tigers LHP Matthew Boyd, but there’s no indication of progress toward a deal. @MLBNetwork @MLB
944
5:20 AM – Dec 17, 2019
joshb600
Shocked nobody else has asked this…
But…
Matt Boyd is an ace?
DTD_ATL
Clearly not what is said.
johndietz
Ann ACE HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA
Tigernut2000
“Ann” ace. Even funnier.
Vizionaire
with the angels having one of the top infield defense, boyd may become true ace-like.
ShieldF123
Yea not like he got killed because he is an extreme flyball pitcher or anything…
bigdaddyt
This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin, and they call it a mine. A mine!
Amanda2019
price will be traded, i wont name teams cause i dont believe boston will get anything back as far as prospects other than a single ball wildcard player that a team feels no attachment to,but also from the red sox standpoint, they dont have a minor league starter to replace him, they traded porcello who was a number 5 medicore and got a number 5 medicore to place him with, While yes they need to get his contract eaten, they arent gonna loose him and bring up a triple A pitcher whos not ready, if price was a position player, he would have been gone by September 29th. Its the same for Jackie, they cant give him away, how many more seasons is he gonna hit 210 and were supposed to say ‘ but he has upside’?
Baseballallday
Porcello was free agent… they didn’t trade him and therefore got nothing for him
Amanda2019
and its apparent by now the angels dont want to pay the contract, lets stop saying the angels are gonna sign him, they took Dylan bundy instead, whats that tell you?
ryanw-2
It tells me they were getting anyone with durability they can get their hands on, in addition to Bundy. They did not acquire him instead of anyone.
darkstar61
A team with a shallow pitching farm traded 4 pitching prospects, including two 2019 draft picks, to get Bundy.
Yes, they specifically wanted him, and yes he will be in the 2020 rotation.
And that indicates, since he will be in a rotation with Teheran, Heaney, Canning, Ohtani and a bunch of other options to split time for Ohtani, then they don’t actually have space or a desire for another starter. Bundy and Teheran were the specific rotation targets they added instead of other names they looked at, based off their actions
OtisSnord
Or maybe, if he’s your best pitcher, you don’t have an ace. Just warm body in the #1 slot. The Angels don’t have an ace no matter who they run out there. Neither do the Tigers.
Brnovich and Bradish are the only pitching prospects the Angels traded who matter. But they’ll both probably wind up in the bullpen.
Baseball Prospectus did a very good article a few weeks ago citing how well the Angels have done in acquiring pitching talent from Latin America, but those guys are years away. Brnovich and Bradish were depth guys but not difference makers.
SportsFan0000
Boyd is a #1 or #2 on many times.
Phillies or another NL team wouild love to have the strikeout ace.
He struck out 13+ Yankees at Yankee stadium.
Playing for a contender, his game would go up several notches…
Odell, Marsh and a few other prospects and Angels get a #1 or #2 starter in Boyd…
throwinched10
If Biggio is a utility guy, then who plays 2b for the Jays? I guess Drury could but he isn’t an everyday guy. The Jays do have three possible CF – Grichuk, Fisher, McKinney. They should just leave Biggio at 2b.
jaysfansince1977
They will postulate these scenario’s until an actual Centre Fielder is signed, (Whom I think will be Akiyama) as they did with Bichette prior to Didi signing elsewhere.
bigdaddyt
I really want them to sign Akiyama as well. But barring any further acquisitions I believe they might be hoping for a bounce back from Shaw and he man 2nd if Biggio goes to CF. I also think it was foolish of them to have gotten rid of Glavis as now they have no backup SS only guys who can play 1/2/3rd and corner outfielders with no decent cf even though fans loved Hernandez out there despite him being very bad in the field. Also don’t think any of the 3 you mentioned are even on this team by years end
Ducey
Lourdes could play 2B – assuming he gets over the yips. Shaw has played a little 2B. Then they have Urena, Espinal.
Lots of time left. Last year they picked up Sogard on a minor league contract and he turned into a star.
DarkSide830
its probably a rotation. Cavan, Lourdes, Drury, Shaw, and Urena can all play 2B off the top of my head. odds are in my mind that Cavan or Shaw get the better part of the reps there though.
throwinched10
@Ducey and @DarkSide830. Gurriel seems to have found a defensive home in LF and an offensive comfort level at the same time. I would pencil him in LF and leave him there.
its_happening
If they decided Biggio is the utility guy, Shaw plays 2B (guessing).
Teoscar plays CF ahead of at least two of the three OFs you mentioned. I agree though, Biggio should be the 2B.
throwinched10
I forgot about Teoscar.
ellisburks
Just want to say I met Craig Biggio in Toronto at Cavan’s second big league game. Still looks in game shape. He was really nice. We chatted baseball for a bit then I left him alone with his family. He is really proud of his talented son.
californiaangels
boyd is so over rated .please Angel’s dont gove up Marsh for that
halo6219
Angels haven’t made many trades b/c the asking price…Marsh won’t be given up for Boyd…
darkstar61
Based on their actions, it is seemingly salary which is driving them away from trading for pitchers.
They could have had Kluber for very little, if they were willing to eat the 18 million in salary. They could have had Price for nothing, if they were willing to eat what is believed to be something in that 18 million range. Similarly, second tier big-name/”ace” free agents were getting in the ballpark of 18 million.
They walked away from those tables and instead quickly allocated 9 million to Terehan.
Meanwhile they also early on traded 4 pitching prospects for Bundy, who is expected to make around 6 million, I believe.
macstruts
Eighteen million for three yeas of Price is not a very smart deal.
As far as Kluber, we don’t know who the Angels had to give up, but it has been reported Marsh was not enough. It looks like the Indians wanted a major league ready player and Marsh. My guess is someone from their pen.
OtisSnord
Wrong. The Angels offered Thaiss, Rengifo and Sandoval for Kluber. That’s better than they got from Texas. But Cleveland blew it when they tried to bluff Eppler. They claimed they had a better offer and demanded Marsh and another top prospect, probably Jeremiah Jackson. Eppler called their bluff and the Indians got an outfielder who can’t hit and a reliever prospect.
macstruts
I don’t know how you know that, but if true, that’s interesting.
After Texas offer, why wouldn’t Cleveland come back to the Angels and say “deal.”? It’s not like the Angels would have pulled it off the table.
jbigz12
The rumor was that Cleveland was legitimately concerned about the Angels taking a potential playoff spot from them. They weren’t worried about the Rangers as contenders. They seem to be walking the rebuild/compete tightrope. If you’re walking that tightrope and you think the Angels are your competition; it makes some sense.
Nor is a Thais/Sandoval/ Rengifo package really an absolute home run either. None of those guys is necessarily a better player than Emmanuel Clase. He’s a reliever with electric stuff. Felipe Vazquez, Kenley Jansen etc weren’t necessarily “top prospects” before coming up. If they grabbed a guy like that they’ll be happy.
mlb1225
When they say “staff ace”, I’m thinking best pitcher in their rotation. If he just said “ace”, then that would be incorrect.
Appalachian_Outlaw
Ditto. There aren’t enough true “aces” in baseball for every team to have one. If there were, it’d certainly make being a GM easier.
I personally don’t think Boyd is more than an over-hyped #3, but on a bad Tigers team, he’s still the staff ace because he’s the best they got.
ron cey
what kind of package me made for Boyd or Robbie Ray that won’t include Marsh or Adell? I mean realistically?
ForestCobraAL
“Boyd or Robbie Ray”
These two are vastly different pitchers. One could put it together and draw a lot of Cy Young votes while the other guy is a fifth starter in danger of working in the independent leagues.
MLBTRS
Neither is in danger of the latter – that’s just nonsense.
ron cey
thanks to forestcobral for not answering the question.
DarkSide830
Ray is a rental. he doesnt get back either most likely.
OtisSnord
Trade Adell for Boyd? Now THAT is funny!!
Appalachian_Outlaw
Can’t imagine Ray requires either.
The Tigers might ask for Marsh in a Boyd trade, I don’t know. Don’t really know the Angels system that well.
Neither are worth Adell. Adell is the type of prospect you don’t trade unless you’re getting a true “ace” in return.
SportsFan0000
For Boyd, they would have to trade Odell, Marsh and a few others..
BobSacamano
I agree. Some can’t wrap their head around the fact that Detroit might not accept a “fair” offer. They’re not actively shopping Boyd, but they would certainly entertain a blown away deal. Which doesn’t make Detroit ‘unfair’ haha
OtisSnord
For Adell, Marsh and a few others, Boyd would have to be 50 times better than he is. That trade is NEVER happening. It’s like when somebody makes a ridiculous offer on a house for sale. The owners won’t make a counter-offer. They’ll just ignore the fool who made it from then on. If the Tigers asked for Adell, Marsh ad a few others for Boyd, Eppler would just block the Tigers phone number and not have to be bothered by their ridiculous offers from then on.
jimmertee
Biggio is one talented athlete. His hands are the fastest I have seen at the plate in a long time. This past winter he was trying to fix the hole in his swing caused by the severe uppercut. The pitchers know it and he has to correct. Let’s see how he does.
The Jays need to give him a position and stick to it so he can not worry about moving around.
driftcat28 2
Agreed, moving him around from position to position will ruin him
maxorange33
I disagree, moving around will ruin a weak minded player. Biggio comes from a MLB life who’s Dad was moved from Catcher to 2nd base and he’s as equipped to play several positions as anyone is. The Jays are thinking of it because they have very poor defensive outfielders.
terry g
His dad also played center.
dynamite drop in monty
No, but my father was a piano mover.
its_happening
Only going to take in the info on Biggio by thinking he’s not given a starting job, he must earn it. Also that the Jays have more moves to make. Other than that I can’t see why Biggio should be moved around given the projected roster and depth they current have.
G20pork
Cavan Biggio “not worth the roster spot” – Keith “not worth reading” Law
Ducey
Keith “I am still bitter the Jays fired me” Law.
silentbob2001
DET gets: OF Brandon Marsh, 2B Jahmai Jones, 1B/3B Matt Thaiss
LAA gets: LHP Matthew Boyd
Would this work?
RiseAgainst3598
I think both sides would consider something like this. The issue is that if Boyd puts together an excellent first half, the Tigers can get an impact bat prospect at the deadline, and that is the issue with the Tigers farm – they have guys who can be backups and starters, but few future stars. Thaiss, Jahmai Jones and Marsh would be a solid get at this point in time though.
OtisSnord
The Angels would part with Jones and Thaiss, but not Marsh for Boyd. They’re not even talking anymore because it’s been made clear to Detroit that Marsh won’t be in the deal.
Hard to walk with four balls
The Angles farm system is garbage, there is no reason that the Tigers would want their trash for Boyd. They can sit on him for the cheap before they made any of those dumb deals.
bluejays92
I really don’t think the Angels would do that trade.
DarkSide830
heck if the Angles offer that
OtisSnord
The Angels hang up on that faster than the speed of light.
SportsFan0000
Tigers probably take Marsh, Odel a few other prospects for Boyd./
OtisSnord
Thanks for a good laugh.
TennVol
After Biggio corrected the hitch in his swing around the middle end of August he went on a tear. He played really well in late August to September and showed he could hold his own with Bichette and Vlad. Jays future is bright with those three if they can get some pitching around them, which they are doing.
TheMick7
That dude has all kinds of issues with his stance and swing. He should simplify it, cut down on all the movement and take a two-strike approach with his pre-swing load.
jay6ix
so it’s rumored that the Jays were the mystery team in on Cole and offered Cole 300 million over 10 yrs, and another rumor floating is Lindor and Clevinger To Toronto for an undisclosed package…Which is why they are floating the idea of Biggio in Centre….i’m assuming that Teoscar will be part of the jays offer to Cleveland, Shapiro did draft Lindor…so one never knows this could be a possibility, and ive heard that the jays will take price if they can get Mookie in the deal as well.
rocky7
There was 0 chance that Cole was going to sign with the Jays…if Lindor was traded there, 100% chance he wouldnt sign there either.
If a .234 batting line is strong….well not even worthy of a comment about that.
jdgoat
Why do you just ignore numbers to fit your narrative about a stat?
fljay73
If the RSox are willing to pay down his remaining $$ owed to around a 1/3 & is open for a decent return then a trade can happen at some point. But to insist on not paying down much or to receive top prospects back he will remain a Rsox (example- Kluber return)
throwinched10
The Angels really needed a top two SP. You could argue that Ohtani is an ace just based on the pitchability that he has already shown. Canning and Heaney are good 3/4 options with Canning having the potential to be a 2 in my opinion. After that they have decent depth and should have good health. Unfortunately that rotation still doesn’t stack up against the Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Astros, or White Sox at this point.
OtisSnord
Glad to see some realism in this discussion
Eatdust666
You know your rotation sucks if Matthew Boyd is your ace. I mean, he’s a good 4 or 5, but he’s not an ace.
30 Parks
Biggio at second. Keep it simple.
Moneyballer
Anthony Rendon is a great costly add but my god adding Teheran and Bundy to the pitching staff?!? If those are upgrades then your starting rotation sucks. Good luck Anaheim, you’re not even close!
wordonthestreet
Yea the rotation was so bad that adding those two was an upgrade
OtisSnord
You’re correct. They are upgrades, and the rotation stunk last year
wordonthestreet
Matthew Boyd is far from an “Ace” in fact you can argue he is closer to a number 5 than a number 1. Just look at his track record. He has not one time ever had a season that you would even jokingly say is Ace like
Melchez
Depends on the team… for the Tigers he’s a number 1. For the Red Sox, number 5
Melchez
When David Price goes into the Hall of Fame, what team will he represent?
nymetsking
Sugarland Skeeters?
TheMick7
Blackman High Varsity Baseball?
Melchez
Probably in his Rays cap. He will be right there next to Mike Mussina.in the Hall of Pretty Good.
BobSacamano
So no one likes Boyd..except tigers fans. He’s not an ace. But he is their ace…maybe. He is a 1.. and yet barely a 5. They’re not getting Adell. Tigers aren’t pursuing Boyd trades..but they are pursuing your ideas!
Melchez
Man, for as lousy as Boyd is, I’m surprised he’s mentioned in trades so often. Ho Hum… and when he breaks out in a year or two…. a whole lot of people will be enjoying that crow.
BobSacamano
I completely agree. Just like JDM, JV, and most recently Nicky.
SportsFan0000
Boyd is lousy enough to be rated alongside Verlander and Scherzer in many analytical categories?!
Teams that are heavy into stats have run it and Boyd is a “sleeper” off the charts in many categories when put on a pennant contending team with great defense and some offensive support his stats are even better..
Murphy NFLD
I said Biggio would be in center on the Ryu post and everyone laughed at me
dirkg
The more I read about Boyd, the more hesitant I would be on a trade. IMO Eppler should focus on Robbie Ray or Jon Gray…and Clevinger if Cleveland is dumb enough to entertain offers.
Vin Scully
Instead of pushing Biggio around the diamond let him acclimate to a single position so he can relax and work on his hitting. A .234 average with a 34% strikeout rate is bad.
Vin Scully
Boyd has a lifetime ERA of 4.94. Ace?
Melchez
Dang, Boyd’s ERA+ was better than CC, Tanaka and Happ… that’s like over $50 million worth of Aces.
dkgunny
How is a .234ba considered strong??
Just_a_thought
I see exactly where you’re coming from on this. Luckily, I have an answer – READ THE ENTIRE SENTENCE NEXT TIME.
SportsFan0000
Guess what Trolls?!
Boyd’s analytic pitching scores rate him close to Schrezer and Verlander at a much younger age and much lower salary. (Google it).
That is why the smart teams that use analytics want Boyd including the Astros, Dodgers, Angels and many more.
On a pennant contending team with good defense and offensive support. Boyd’s ERA drops 1. to 1 1/2 points,
Boyd is a bargain salary with 3 years of team control left.
Odel and a few other top promising young players and prospects and Angels would reel in Boyd..
Appalachian_Outlaw
There is no planet where Boyd is worth Adell. None. It doesn’t matter how you spin it.
He should look into hiring you as an agent, though. It was a good pitch.
SportsFan0000
Odell, Marsh and a few others would get that deal for Boyd done.
Angels need an upgrade to their rotation badly.
Or they just wasted huge amounts of capital on Trout and Rendon to finish 3rd or 4th in the NL West for the next 3-4 years..
Bruin1012
Boyd has very good, very solid peripherals but and looks good on paper from an analytical standpoint but he is also an extreme fly ball pitcher who gives up high hard contact rates and lots of home runs. I do agree he has potential ace stuff but until he gets the home run issue under control he won’t be an ace. Oh and by the way he is giving up all these long balls in one of the toughest stadiums to hit home runs.
OtisSnord
The Tigers and Angels aren’t even talking because the Tigers wanted Marsh and the Angels aren’t even remotely interested. . If you think think adding Adell to an already ridiculous ask is a good idea, you may want to find another topic to comment on instead.
Just_a_thought
Guess what, the inventor of “game scores” for pitchers even called it a (paraphrased) “garbage stat that does not help us understand anything in particular but is fun to play around with” (google it). The reason these same “smart analytic teams” haven’t made a deal of the nature you suggest is because no one thinks Boyd holds any value near that of Verlander or Scherzer. He’s a controllable, mid-rotation starter, not a generational ace.
SportsFan0000
All the top analytics teams have been trying to get Boyd including the Astros..
They see what amateur fans and less astute MLB talent evaluators do not see: a young, cost controlled starter who, when put on a playoff contending team with great defense and offensive support has huge upside to ace level starter.
Lowball offers that some have give the Tigers won’t get Boyd.
its_happening
A team wouldn’t be smart to deal their farm for a #4 starter. Pitching in Comerica against the worst AL division (and perhaps the worst in baseball), and yet Boyd still can’t dominate.
Hard pass.
Melchez
Comerica is ranked as a hitter’s park now. Twins offense was tops in the majors. Indians was up there too.
The last 10 years, the AL Central represented the AL in the World Series 4 times. The mighty AL East just twice, (by the Red Sox).
its_happening
Pitchers have a harder time winning Cy Youngs in the AL East because of how difficult it is to pitch in that division.
2019 – AL East beat AL Central in record head to head
2018 – AL East beat AL Central in record head to head
2017 – AL Central beat AL East in record by 1 win
2016 – AL East beat AL Central in record head to head
2015 – AL East beat AL Central in record head to head
Do I need to go further to prove the AL East is better than the Central? Why are you even bothering to make a case for a weak division? Some of these teams you reference were aided by better home records thanks to inferior teams in their own division.
Some website with mathematical equations might tell you Comerica’s a hitter’s park. It isn’t. It was clear as the weather improved, Boyd didn’t.
njangel
Can Angels can get Boyd without giving up Adell or Marsh? Hope so…. would be a great GM move
Melchez
Angels can get Boyd without giving up Marsh or Adell… might take Luis Rengifo Kevin Maitan, and Arol Vera. will cost the Angels some capital. They won’t get him for free.
Hard to walk with four balls
There is zero reason the Tigers would take that trade without Adell. The Tigers are heavy handed with RHP so giving away their lefty isn’t going to happen. However Adell could make them change their mind.
Appalachian_Outlaw
There is a zero reason the Angels trade one of the best prospects in baseball for a mid-tier rotation arm. No one is giving up that type of package. If it’s that for Boyd or bust, guess it’s a bust. No opposing GM will be losing any sleep over it, I’m sure.
BobSacamano
Haha Likewise for Detroit. There is absolutely zero reason they have to trade him. Boyd is everything Detroit and most teams these days want (young, controllable, cheap, durable, efficient, southpaw).
Hard to walk with four balls
The Angles farm system is trash, why would the Tigers want any of that garbage. A: They don’t. The Angles are going to squander Trout’s prime and he is never going to play in a meaningful game.
SportsFan0000
Angels would have to bite the bullet and give up Odell, Marsh and a few others to land Boyd,
Tigers have zero incentive to trade Boyd for less.
Angels just spent bank on Trout and Rendon to finish 3rd or 4th in the tough AL West?!
Right now the Astros and the A’s have much better pitching than the Angels..
Boyd would help close that gap..
its_happening
Boyd for Fletcher and Bundy. Anything more is an Angels loss. Boyd should hold him for another year. Maybe he’ll turn into a strong #3.
Hard to walk with four balls
Fletcher and Bundy are a big old number 2.
OtisSnord
Sure, and if you offered me $150,000 for my 17 year old Hyundai, that would change my mind about keeping it. But the Angels aren’t giving up Adell for Boyd, and I doubt you’ll be cutting me a $150,000 check.
OtisSnord
Dream on. Ain’t happening. Ever.
SportsFan0000
Boyd would make the Angels a Wild Card contender.
OR, Angels could flush all that Trout and Rendon money down the toilet and finish 3rd or 4th in the tough AL West…
Bruin1012
The Angels aren’t trading Adell so that nonsense talk can end. I like Boyd think he can be really good but if the Tigers say Adell or no trade it’s no trade. The Tigers really need position players there farm system is setup with quality pitching they could really use a package built around Marsh but not Adell not going to happen.
Dkaner
Adell is not going to be in the discussion unless the Tigers throw in one of their top pitching prospects like Mize or Manning and that’s not going to happen. Marsh is not going to play for the Angels anytime soon with Adell ahead of him and the Angels are stacked at the MLB level for the next 2 to 3 years. Marsh is doable so I can see this happening. The Tigers have what the Angels need and the Angels have what the Tigers need. Seems like a great fit.
SportsFan0000
LMFAO!
Tigers would never give away some of the top young pitching prospects in all of MLB and their future foundational pieces in
a Boyd trade,
GM would be immediately fired if he ever agreed to such a deal..
SportsFan0000
Adell and/or Marsh would have to be in the discussion
or the Tigers won’t be biting on an Angels deal.
Tigers farm system, is now rated as 10th best in MLB by various expert rating services…
Tigers are stacking up prospects especially in the lower minors,
What ever team can offer upper level minors top prospects and/or young major league players blocked from playing time by star players like Trout, Upton etc…that would be the Team to make a deal with the Tigers on Boyd..
SportsFan0000
Nonsense…
Boyd’s sabermetric numbers are “off the charts”.
Jon Morosi
✔
@jonmorosi
Sources: #Angels interested in trading for #Tigers LHP Matthew Boyd, but there’s no indication of progress toward a deal. @MLBNetwork @MLB
944
5:20 AM – Dec 17, 2019
its_happening
Boyd for Pujols. Albert’s career numbers are off the charts. Sounds like a fair deal. Almost not sarcastic.
SportsFan0000
International Business Times is predicting that the Dodgers
are jumping on Chris Bryant.
And, the Angels are getting Matthew Boyd…
IBT states “The Angels trading for Matthew Boyd would immediately make them pennant contenders”…
Have to give up talent to get talent.
Tigers won’t just give Boyd away.
Any deal starts with Odell, then add others..
SportsFan0000
Adell and/or Marsh would have to be in the discussion
or the Tigers won’t be biting on an Angels deal.
Tigers farm system, is now rated as 10th best in MLB by various expert rating services…
Tigers are stacking up prospects especially in the lower minors,
What ever team can offer upper level minors top prospects and/or young major league players blocked from playing time by star players like Trout, Upton etc…that would be the Team to make a deal with the Tigers on Boyd..
Bruin1012
Dude give it rest it won’t Adell 100% guaranteed. Not saying the Angels won’t trade for Boyd just saying it won’t be Adell. Adell is about as untouchable as any prospect in baseball.
OtisSnord
I’m starting to think he’s an 8 year old on his mommy’s computer. Probably not worth responding to anymore.
OtisSnord
They’re not in the deal. You’ve posted that ridiculous idea about 798 times now. Are you dancing around an open field chanting and offering burnt offerings to the wombat god, hoping it will make it happen. Sorry, but it’s not happening. Not now, not ever.