The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move in their offseason roster adjustments by signing veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd to a $29 million, two-year contract. The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus and salaries of $7.5 million for the upcoming season and $14.5 million in 2026. Additionally, there is a $15 million mutual option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.
Boyd, 33, had a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery, posting a 2-2 record with a 2.72 ERA in eight starts for Cleveland in the previous season. He also contributed in the postseason, allowing just one run and striking out 14 batters in 11 2/3 innings across three starts for the AL Central champions.
The Washington native will join a Cubs rotation that includes Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon. Chicago, finishing second in the NL Central with an 83-79 record in the last two seasons, aims to strengthen its pitching staff with Boyd's addition.
Boyd, who played college baseball at Oregon State, was drafted by Toronto in 2013 before being traded to Detroit in 2015 as part of the David Price deal. Over his ten-year MLB career, he has accumulated a 46-69 record with a 4.85 ERA in 168 starts and 14 relief appearances, also having a stint with Seattle.
In 2019, Boyd set career highs with 32 starts and 185 1/3 innings pitched for Detroit. However, injuries have limited his playing time in recent years, with only 60 appearances and 263 innings over the last five seasons. In 2023, he went 5-5 with a 5.45 ERA in 15 starts for the Tigers before getting injured.
Boyd's contract with the Cubs includes performance bonuses based on innings pitched, with opportunities to earn $100,000 for reaching various inning milestones in each year of the deal.