Pittsburgh Pirates: Post-Work Stoppage Free Agent Starting Pitching Targets

Matthew Boyd

This one is a bit different than the others on the list. That is because this pitcher, if added, could be about 2023 as much as it is 2022.

Former Detroit Tiger pitcher Matthew Boyd is a name we have discussed in the past. The former highly-touted prospect who was once the key piece in the trade that sent David Price from the Tigers to the Toronto Blue Jays was non-tendered by Detroit before MLB’s work stoppage began.

The reason the Tigers cut ties with Boyd was due to injury. After undergoing flexor tendon surgery in September, Boyd’s status for 2022 remains up in the air.

Prior to getting injured Boyd was putting together the best season of his MLB career. He pitched 78.2 innings in 15 starts, posting a 3.89 ERA and a 4.10 FIP. Both of these were new career bests for the 30-year-old lefty.

Boyd walked a career low 6.8% of batters faced in these 15 starts. Although, his 19.9% strikeout rate was his lowest since 2018. He limited opposing batters to a .251 batting average, which was more than 20 points lower than 2020, and he allowed just 9 home runs giving him a career low 1.03 HR/9.

If Boyd is healthy he could be a steal in free agency. However, he could also be a huge gamble. He will turn 31 next month and is coming off of major surgery. That said, offering Boyd a two-year contract that is incentive heavy could entice Boyd to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates with the potential to aide to the Pirate starting rotation in both 2022 and 2023.