Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the Dodgers showing interest in numerous relievers. Now we are hearing the first rumor in regards to the Dodgers showing interest in a starter.
Chris McCosky The Detroit News wrote in his latest article yesterday that the Dodgers are among the teams who have expressed interest in Tigers left-handed starter Matthew Boyd. The other teams who have expressed interest are the Padres, Cubs, Braves, Astros, Rays, and Red Sox.
Boyd, 28, was selected in the 6th round of the 2013 draft out of Oregon State University by the Blue Jays and was traded to the Tigers in July of 2015 along with left-handed reliever Jairo Labourt and left-handed starter Daniel Norris for left-handed starter David Price.
This season Boyd is 6-6 with a 3.87 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, and a 142/20 K/BB ratio in 107.0 innings. He is averaging 6.0 innings per start.
Boyd has evolved from average starter to potential front-end arm since the season began, and with the Tigers in rebuild mode, they may decide that this is the best time to move him. Boyd’s 3.87 ERA over 107 innings isn’t befitting of an ace, but he has managed a more impressive 3.56 FIP and has emerged as one of the majors’ preeminent strikeout artists with a very high 11.94 K/9 against a measly 1.68 BB/9, Boyd ranks top 10 among starters in those categories and top five in K/BB ratio (1.68).
For the Dodgers, Boyd would be an excellent addition to a rotation already stacked with the likes of Hyun-Jin Ryu, Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and Kenta Maeda and would also allow the Dodgers to either shift Ross Stripling back into a long relief role or could potentially turn him into a trade piece. The addition of Boyd could also potentially serve as not only a short-term replacement for fellow starter Rich Hill but a long-term replacement too. Hill, 39, is currently on the injured list with a left flexor tendon strain and, having gone on the 60-day IL, won’t return until at least late August at the earliest. Hill is also a free agent this winter and depending on how his recovery goes from this injury could possibly retire this winter. If that happens Boyd, who has 3 more years of control following this season could slot in nicely to the team’s rotation for years to come.
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