Veteran right-hander Daniel Bard recently threw in front of scouts for around ten teams, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI. He’s drawing interest from a variety of clubs, including some West Division contenders in each league.
Bard, who’ll turn 40 next month, missed the 2024 season after undergoing a pair of surgeries: one to repair the meniscus in his left knee and a second, more serious procedure to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. He told Bradford back in January that he was hoping to begin throwing off a mound in late February with an eye toward signing in late April. It seems that timetable wound up being a bit optimistic, but Bard’s recent showcase and interest from contending clubs seems to signify that he’s back to full strength.
As recently as 2022, Bard was one of the sport’s top relievers. He enjoyed a brilliant comeback effort with the Rockies that season and entered the trade deadline as one of the most widely anticipated trade candidates the market had to offer. The Rockies, ever marching to the beat of their own drum, felt differently and signed a then-37-year-old Bard to a two-year extension worth $19MM.
Bard dominated down the stretch for the Rox post-extension, finishing out the year with 34 saves (on a 68-win team), a 1.79 ERA and a 28.2% strikeout rate. He struggled in 2023, logging just 49 1/3 innings with a diminished 4.56 ERA, a 20.3% strikeout rate and a jarring 21.1% walk rate. His fastball, which averaged 97.9 mph in 2022, sat at 94.4 mph in 2023. Last year’s injury-lost season officially closed the book on that two-year, $19MM contract.
A comeback at age 40 might be something of a long shot, but that was also true when Bard returned from a six-year absence at age 35 in 2020. When the right-hander has been healthy, he’s generally been effective. In four seasons since returning to the majors, he’s pitched to a 3.83 ERA with a 25.1% strikeout rate and 13.5% walk rate (3.58 ERA, 26.9 K% and 10.8 BB% if we exclude that 2023 season when he did not seem to be pitching at full strength).
At this point of the MLB season, there aren’t many trade opportunities available to contending clubs looking to strengthen their roster — nor are there many free agent possibilities of note. Bard joins fellow elder statesman David Robertson — who’s about two and a half months older — as an exception to that line of thinking. Given that he’s looking to reestablish himself after a lost 2024 season while Robertson is seeking a notable salary on the heels of a terrific 2024 campaign, Bard stands as the clearly more affordable option of the two.
Whether Bard ultimately signs a minor league contract or a big league deal with a low base salary, two things will likely be true: the contract will be laden with incentives that boost his earning potential if he remains healthy, and he’ll likely need a tune-up in the minors before jumping directly into a major league bullpen. It’s hard to imagine him being a real option before mid-to-late June, but that still makes him a more immediate option than the majority of the arms who’ll change hands on the summer trade market.
Isn’t he the guy that the Sox ruined when he was put in a starting rotation?
believe – Yep, and I was right there behind the dugout in Toronto when he had the huge meltdown.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Red Sox sign him, they love this sort of acquisition …. he could be this year’s Rich Hill for the Sox.
Bard only started 10 games for the Red Sox back in 2012. He pitched seven more out of the pen that year. Yeah, that experiment didn’t go well, but I don’t think it’s the reason Bard spent six years ih the minors (2013-2019) before making the Rockies bullpen in 2020. During those six years, Bard spent most of the time on the IL.
Yes, those 10 starts ruined his entire life..
Bard wanted to become a starter so I wouldn’t just put that on the soxs.
Bard broke into the majors in 2009?!? Marcelo Mayer just debuted and was 6 when Bard made the bigs. Holy smokes am I old.
Bard has spent more seasons showcasing for teams than he has actually pitching for them
The Red Sox will sign him, stick him in the rotation, and he’ll be permanently injured by the 4th of July
Yeah, I don’t think any of those things will happen actually.
Right because it’s not like the Boston Red Sox would EVER put an obvious reliever into the rotation and leave him there until he’s broken!
He’ll sign a minor deal with the dodgers
Keep dreaming.
He might be able to sign with the Padres as a left fielder.
Dodgers do need a decent innings eater though.
I dont think anyone in this comment section realized how good daniel bard was in 2022, and how good he would be if he never got the yips – twice
we are all well aware. there is a reason that he wasnt written off despite a 7-year hiatus. and he is 40 and still getting looks.
Cubs/Phillies bidding war……
I wouldn’t get in a bidding war for him bc loser just grabs Robertson if that’s the way they want to go. But I could see Dombrowski making a low risk high reward move with a guy he’s familiar with.
Nats should try to sign him
Crazy that Bard is still around. By the time he left the Red Sox, I never ever would have predicted he’d still be pitching at age 40.
Perhaps Bard has another lullaby left in him.
Comeback #4?
Rockies all over the missing piece on their pitching staff
Extremely surprised no team has signed Robertson. Even at this late stage of his career,he was still getting it done. 72 innings , over 12 strikeouts per 9 last year. How much money is he asking for? I would think a playoff contender could use his services. It would shock me if he isn’t signed for the stretch run for a contender.