FEB. 12: The Rays have finalized a $1.8MM deal with McHugh, pending a physical, Topkin reports.
FEB. 11, 9:55pm: If finalized, it will be a one-year major league pact, Topkin writes.
9:15pm: The Rays and right-hander Collin McHugh are closing in on an agreement, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. There’s “work to be done” on both sides prior to the deal becoming official, though, Topkin adds.
McHugh was largely successful with the Astros as a starter and reliever from 2014-19, but elbow issues negatively affected him in the last of those years and continued to do so in 2020. McHugh signed with the Red Sox before last season, but he was ultimately not healthy enough to pitch for the club. The 33-year-old has recovered since then, though, according to Topkin, and his history indicates he could be a useful pickup for the Rays if he is indeed back from his arm problems.
McHugh, also a former Met and Rockie, would bring a lifetime 3.95 ERA with almost a strikeout per inning and fewer than three walks per nine across a lifetime 800 2/3 frames to the Rays. Considering McHugh established himself in Houston as someone capable of filling long- and short-inning roles, it seems he would fit in well on a Tampa Bay team known for its flexibility with its pitching staff.
Francys01
Adding Collin McHugh to the Rays starting rotation might be an excellent signing by the team.
HBan22
They’re probably looking at him as a reliever. He was much more dominant as a reliever in recent seasons, and with his health issues they may not think he can handle a starter’s workload. But hey, never say never. It is the Rays after all.
downeysoft42
2-3 innings 2-3 days a week is all they need from him. Get 4/5 guys (which they have) who can do the same thing and their looking solid.
mp2891
Just to be clear, you mean 2-3 innings every 3 days or so, right? No pitcher is pitching 2-3 innings 3 times per week.
Deadguy
It could be a great signing, however I do think the Rays took a solid pitching staff and tore it down and filled it with quite a few question marks.
mt in baltimore
Agreed. In doing this they are not as high- profile presently, but they did pick-up strength for the future from the Padres.
goalieguy41
He’s not starting. Read the article.
oldmansteve
Did you read the article? It doesn’t state whether he will or wont be starting, just his injury history and what he has done in the past. The Rays use openers all the time, so the title starter for them is basically irrelevant.
Rsox
Would have liked to see him come back to Boston since we never did get to see him pitch
Jeff Zanghi
I agree… I’m kind of surprised the didn’t make an effort to bring him back. I mean if they felt like he was going to be effective if healthy last year what changed this season? And i think they really could have used a guy with his experience and skill set. Kind of disappointed they didn’t bring him back for another attempt.
123redsox
When they signed matt andreise for the role bringing him back was kind of redundant
looiebelongsinthehall
No such thing as redundancy in today’s pitching world. Bloom likely didn’t see enough upside with his recovery to spend what he likely wanted.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Probably better than Martin Perez.
deweybelongsinthehall
Perez was signed to continue the Process role of marking him down for innings. Upside is not there but dependability is though and that’s something McHugh can’t give you.
123redsox
I agree 100%. But the same swing role the sox were planning to have him function in will now be held by Matt andreise
Ji-Man Choi
A new “bulk” guy or a potential rotation piece. I love it
zoinksscoob
Two words: spin rate. He was the poster child for tracking spin rate when the Astros picked him up. The Rays are all about the new metrics.
bot
“New metrics” or all about cheating w pine tar ??
oldoak33
Oh look, it’s the guy (bot) that figured out most pitchers use tack to grip a ball.
tribepride17
The league is cracking down now so guys like Cole and Kluber will be very interested to watch this year.
VonPurpleHayes
Seems like an obvious fit after the fact. Like it’s weird I didn’t think of it earlier, but I do think he’ll work well in that Rays system.
stubby66
Ok what the hell are the Brewers doing !!!!!!
Rsox
Signing every Utility Infielder they can find hoping they can play 3B?
It’scalledawinningstreak
Cheers! The Rays with another solid piece.
DarkSide830
DD swoop in!
mlb1225
Collin McHugh the reliever is 10x better than Collin McHugh the starter.
Grade_1_teacher
Meet your new opener.
Rsox
The Rays seemed to have abonded the “Opener” bit last season, hopefully that holds true this season as well. They Rays have an interesting staff with Glasnow, Yarbrough, Wacha, Archer, Fleming, Richards, McKay, Patino, and Honeywell if he’s healthy. McHugh can join that mix as well
Mrivers
Yes, they have moved on from the opener but still pull starters quickly as evidenced in the playoffs. Guys like Fleming will be on a short leash.
SleepyGorilla
To be fair we had less of a need for openers last year with Snell, Morton, and Glasnow anchoring the rotation
Mrivers
Exactly….the Rays usually figure it out. Snell is a big loss. Even though he didn’t always go that far he gave quality innings.
startinglineup
Dont forget mcclanahan
Dorothy_Mantooth
Add Rich Hill to this list as well
Oxford Karma
He’ll be a bulk guy for the Rays and be set up to win 16-17 games.
balloonknots
Hold ur horses as Collin hasn’t had good velocity ever really but down in high 80’s – so he lives off his slider which is fine but recent elbow problems and expecting high innings off the slider may not be a great idea. Now Rays know how use these vets to Max value but don’t see this as major win by means even in best case scenario. Stay healthy Collin hope you get some quality high leverage innings n nail it
609Collectibles
The Rays like to use openers. Good role for McHugh since he’s not quite a starter, yet not quite a reliever either.
mp2891
I don’t think the Rays will use McHugh as an opener. That position is traditionally limited to the first 5-6 batters, or 1-2 innings of work. Now, if the Rays adopt a piggyback model, then I could see McHugh go first.
SleepyGorilla
If anything, they’d use an opener for McHugh
MikeD26
Just go sing Walker or Paxton now.
raft
I don’t believe he is healthy. He said he was healthy the last year as an Astro, then as a Redsox. He is a stand up man involved with the community and his wife is also a classy act.
1984wasntamanual
So McHugh for AL Cy Young?
bravesfan
Such a rays move…
BuJoBi
He fits right in tbay, another reclamation project for tbay and if history shows anything expect McHugh to go back to his old form when he was with Houston.
Good signing.
astros_fan_84
I’m want to know the salary. I bet it’s a nice value signing.
MikeD26
Tampa got better.
HalosHeavenJJ
Starters get two trips through the line up. He’ll get a couple innings after that a couple times a week.
George hubschman, roto imbeciles
We barely remember that McHugh was a 19 game winner for the Astros in 2015. He won 13 games with a career high 177 K’s in 2016. But between injuries and the Astros’ need for bullpen help, McHugh became a RP in 2018. Some might call that a career season for him with a 1.99/0.91 ERA/WHIP, 94/21 K/BB and 45 HA in 72 1/3 IP. The Rays did good today, also adding Rich Hill to the staff. But we all know that Rich Hill makes Giancarlo Stanton look like Cal Ripken, Jr.
TheLawAbides
I’d like to see him get another chance to be a starter, maybe I’m old school but I’ll take anyone that can give me 200 innings
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Rays keep playing to their formula. Both McHugh and Hill are 5 inning guys but they just keep adding pitchers and bullpen starters that work to their advantage.
Mynameisnoname
Mid 2010’s Ray’s on the way. A lull in their three year run. By the time they’re graduating Franco and crew, the RS could be re-emerging with the Blue Jays an established recent contender. Sprinkle in the guaranteed 90+ wins for the Yankees and we should not have to see that dreadful stadium in the playoffs (unless they reintroduce expansion) for awhile.
They missed out on all of their preferred SP discount targets and are now vaccuming in anything with a pulse and a spin rate.
tom brunanskys black sock
Sharpen my pencil and call me Stretch
leftykoufax
Nice low cost signing for the Rays.