Detroit Tigers: Exploring Matthew Boyd Trade Scenarios

The Detroit Tigers remain likely to sell at the trade deadline. Although they don’t have to move Matthew Boyd, he’s a hot commodity in the rumor mill.

It’s long been speculated that the Detroit Tigers’ one-year rentals, a la Mike Fiers, Francisco Liriano and Leonys Martin, will be moved at or before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Impending free agent Jose Iglesias could be moved as well, along with relievers Shane Greene, Alex Wilson and hybrid pitcher Blaine Hardy.

One name that was not expected to be moved until recently is surprising left-hander Matthew Boyd. Boyd is under team control through 2022 and costs virtually nothing. He’s also been Detroit’s best starter this season. In 15 starts, Boyd has a 4.15 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. He also sports a 7.54 K/9 and a 3.61 BB/9.

The Detroit Tigers don’t need to move Boyd. In fact, Boyd is the perfect low-cost arm to have in the rotation for the next few years while the stud prospects (Alex Faedo, Franklin Perez, Casey Mize, Beau Burrows, Matt Manning, etc.) continue to develop in the minors. With that in mind, any deal would have to overwhelm them.

Why Trading Boyd Makes Sense

However, a 27-year-old left-hander who is under team control through 2022 and is having a very solid season will be valuable on the trade market. Teams have already come calling about Boyd. A bidding war could certainly bring his price tag up high enough that the Tigers could move him and continue to grow their budding farm system.

Here are a few teams that are expected to be interested in obtaining Boyd, and some prospects the Tigers could target in return:

We’ve already touched on how the Mariners and Tigers could connect on a trade, although at the time Boyd was not considered a trade piece. However, the Mariners have made their desire to acquire Boyd very clear. This connection makes the most sense, as Boyd is from the Seattle area and went to college at nearby Oregon State.

Our friends over at Sodo Mojo, the Mariners FanSided page, proposed a trade. They would acquire Boyd and Niko Goodrum in exchange for first baseman Daniel Vogelbach, right-hander Max Povse, shortstop Bryson Brigman and right-hander Seth Elledge.

Analyzing this Deal

Losing Goodrum would be tough, but the prospect capital the Tigers would be getting in return would make this an even trade. Vogelbach could step right into the gap at first base left when Miguel Cabrera went down with a season-ending injury. At the very least, Vogey could platoon with John Hicks, since Vogelbach hits left-handed. If Vogelbach needs more seasoning at Triple-A, he could step into that role next year while Miggy transitions to DH.

Vogelbach has demonstrated monstrous power in the minor leagues, but has struck out too much at the big league level. However, he hasn’t been given his fair share in the show, and the Tigers could give him that opportunity.

Max Povse

Povse is a six-foot-eight behemoth on the mound. He sports a low-90’s fastball but a plus changeup and a decent 12-6 curveball. He already had a brief cameo in the big leagues last year, and although he has been bad at Triple-A Tacoma this year he’s still rocking an 11.05 K/9. Povse is likely destined for a bullpen role, but has the tools to be an above average contributor in the future.

Bryson Brigman

Brigman would very likely be the prize of this prospect haul. Originally drafted in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Brigman struggled with the stick his first few pro seasons. He was beginning to look like a glove-first, light-hitting utility infielder who can handle shortstop (a la Dixon Machado). That led to him being ranked as the No. 26 prospect in a weak Seattle farm system.

However, 2018 has been a different story. Brigman is slashing .320/.396/.425 at High-A, with ten stolen bases. His .381 BABIP is high, but he also sports a very solid 9.9% walk rate and a low 15% strikeout rate. Brigman is starting to look like a big league regular, and if the Tigers could add him to their slew of middle infield prospects, they’d further bolster a rapidly developing farm system.

Seth Elledge

Lastly, Seth Elledge is a big right-hander with a big fastball. Coming from powerhouse Dallas Baptist, where he is their career leader in saves, Elledge has posted some eye-popping strikeout numbers in the minors. He’s thrown 53 innings across three levels, and has posted 83 strikeouts compared to just 19 walks. That’s good for a 14.09 K/9. He also sports a 0.96 ERA on the year at High-A.

Elledge has all the tools of a future closer, and at the very least would be an excellent set-up man for Joe Jimenez in the future. At 22 years old, Elledge could easily be a quick to the big leagues bullpen arm would could debut as soon as 2019.

It’s no secret the Yankees are looking for a left-handed starting pitcher. After losing Jordan Montgomery for the season, the Bronx Bombers want a lefty who can help neutralize the Red Sox, who have struggled against left-handed pitching all season.

We proposed a Francisco Liriano to New York deal recently, but Boyd might fetch a bigger haul due to his low-cost and team control. Of course, New York may prefer a one year rental since Montgomery is expected back next season.

However, if New York does decide they want the young, cost-controlled Boyd, they certainly have the prospect capital to make a trade happen.

Billy McKinney

The Tigers farm system is flush with pitching. While there’s alway room to grow in that regard, Detroit should focus on some of New York’s position prospects. One player they could target in a return is left-handed outfielder Billy McKinney.

McKinney is only hitting .209 at Triple-A this year, but he has nine home runs in just 31 games. The lanky outfielder has a sweet swing from the left side. He’s battled some injury issues in the past, but optimistic scouts still see him as a .280 hitter who can contribute 20 home runs. He reminds me a lot of Kole Calhoun, although he has a ways to go defensively to reach that comp. In fact, he may be forced into a left field role in the big leagues unless he can work on his arm strength. Still, McKinney would be a nice outfielder prospect to add alongside Christin Stewart, Mike Gerber, Daz Cameron and the rest.

Mike Ford

Mike Ford is a first base prospect that the Detroit Tigers could consider in a potential Matthew Boyd trade. Ford was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Mariners, but returned before the season began. He is at Triple-A currently, boasting an 11% walk-rate and eight home runs in just 54 games. He has some of the best plate discipline in the entire minor leagues, with a walk rate over 10% at every minor league stop. Ford hit 20 home runs in 126 games between AA and AAA last season, with a staggering 94 walks compared to just 72 strikeouts.

The Yankees system, like Detroit’s, is also flush with pitching. A few other names the Tigers could target include Domingo Acevedo, Dillon Tate, Cody Carroll and Trevor Stephan.