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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 starters the New York Yankees should target

By Joshua Sadlock

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 18: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the fifth inning during a MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Rogers Centre on June 18, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 18: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the fifth inning during a MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Rogers Centre on June 18, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JUNE 26: Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Comerica Park on June 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 26: Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Comerica Park on June 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

4.  Matt Boyd

We’ll move from one AL Central team that may be selling at the trade deadline to one that definitely has to be selling at the deadline. The Detroit Tigers are still light years away from being ready to contend for a playoff spot, but are mostly out of useful trade chips that can be turned into high-level prospects. Detroit’s best bet for adding to their farm system is to shop starter Matt Boyd aggressively.

A former top prospect who was regarded highly enough to be included as part of the package for Cy Young David Price, Boyd is finally putting it together in his age-28 season. The left-hander is 5-6 with a 3.72 ERA in 17 starts and is striking out 11.4 per nine. This has been, by far, the best season in Boyd’s five-year MLB career. He is 27-41 with a 4.82 ERA in 107 games since making his debut in 2015.

Boyd is harnessing his potential this year, but the Tigers may not be in a hurry to deal him. He is still under team control for another two seasons beyond 2019, and if this is for real, his trade value will only go higher. Boyd has committed fully to his slider this year, mostly ditching his curve and changeup. Opponents are batting just .181 against the pitch with 59 strikeouts.

The Yankees may have the type of assets required to pull off a trade for Boyd, but it’s still a lot to give up for a pitcher having his first good MLB season. There are other options that the Yankees may be able to acquire without totally blowing up their farm system.

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