Matthew Boyd, P
The 30-year-old starter is having one of the, if not the, best season of his career so far. Currently playing for a respectable $6.5 million, Matthew Boyd will have one more year of arbitration before being eligible for free agency. Boyd struggled mightily in 2020 contributing to the lowest ERA+ of his career since his 2015 rookie season.
Prior to 2020, Boyd spent two seasons as an average starting pitcher with a penchant for giving up the long ball. Thus far, Boyd has limited home runs dramatically (0.8 HR/9 compared to 2.2 HR/9 in 2020) and his improved control and increased strikeouts have all contributed to his new found success in Detroit. This makes him a perfect trade chip for the Tigers in order to get some serviceable pieces back into their organization.
Boyd, with his 1.4 WAR, could go to a team needing a solid innings eater and who could prove to be a serviceable third starter. Boyd has limited use of his four seam fastball while increasing usage of his sinker and changeup. In 2019 and 2020, Boyd threw his fastball about 49 percent of the time compared with 41 percent of the time in 2021. Boyd’s sinker usage increased about three percent and his changeup usage increased almost 5 percent since last year contributing to his limited home runs allowed and his overall success.
Boyd, at his age and with his contract situation, will be an enticing trade chip for Avila and the Tigers. Boyd could provide a contending team with that much needed third starter at a reasonable price coupled with the fact he can be controlled for at least one more year. This would make it more than worth it for a team to inquire about him.