The Chicago Cubs have made their first significant move of the offseason, bolstering their starting rotation with the addition of left-hander Matthew Boyd. According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Cubs have agreed to terms on a two-year, $29 million deal with the free agent pitcher. This move marks a key step in the Cubs’ offseason plans, as they aim to retool their roster and return to contention in the National League Central.
Boyd gets $29M for 2 years. $14.5M a year Plus $1M pbs (500K each year) #Cubs https://t.co/qy3QNP82pR
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 2, 2024
Boyd can earn an additional $1 million in incentives. He didn’t sign with the Cleveland Guardians until June of this past season following rehab from Tommy John surgery but went on to collect a 2.72 ERA and 46:13 K:BB in 39 2/3 innings. He then added 12 frames of one-run ball in the postseason. Boyd, who turns 34 in February, hasn’t made more than 15 regular season starts since his 2019 campaign.
North Siders Add Matthew Boyd on Two-Year Deal
Boyd spent last season with the Guardians, posting a 2.72 ERA in eight starts and a 0.77 ERA and 14 strikeouts in three starts during Cleveland’s postseason run. Boyd, 33, owns a career 4.85 ERA across 10 major league seasons, eight of which were with the Detroit Tigers. He also spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners.
Boyd broke through with the Tigers, making at least 20 appearances every season from 2016-19, starting 106 games. Now, Boyd joins one of the deeper rotations in baseball. He joins fellow left-handers Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad.
Boyd is the fifth pitcher signed this offseason who’s represented by Scott Boras, joining Blake Snell, Yusei Kikuchi, Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez.
The good news for the Cubs is that they have enough pitching depth to handle any absences caused by future injuries. Chicago has a deep group of optionable arms that includes Assad, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks and Hayden Wesneski.
Main Photo: © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
