Cubs Sign First Major Free Agent of Their Offseason

Well, I mean, it sure is a signing. According to Jon Heyman the Chicago Cubs have signed veteran left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd to a two-year contract. Boyd, who will be 34-years-old at the beginning of the 2025 season, recorded a 2.72 ERA with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024.

According to Heyman, Boyd will earn $14.5 million per year and will have the chance to make an additional $1 million in bonuses.

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 went unsigned last offseason before he was finally picked up by the Guardians in June. The lefty made his season debut in August after ramping up in the minor leagues and that actually came against the Cubs. Boyd looked great in his limited time in 2024, logging a total of 39.2 innings across eight starts with Cleveland, recording a 27.7% strikeout rate, 3.29 FIP and 151 ERA+.

The veteran continued his success in the postseason, allowing a single run in 11.2 innings.

The lefty made his MLB debut back in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays, but Boyd is mainly known for his time with the Detroit Tigers. While the left-hander has had glimpses of greatness, he’s also been primarily a 4-5 starter. Boyd has career 4.85 ERA in 908.1 innings.

For whatever it’s worth, Streamer projects Boyd to post a 4.05 ERA in 142 innings in 2025.

I was originally really down on this signing, but maybe the Cubs did it again. Maybe they found hidden value in Boyd that we don’t see on the surface. He had 238 strikeouts in 185.1 innings during the 2019 season, and then recorded a 3.89 ERA in 2021 with the Tigers. However, Boyd has dealt with serious arm injuries following 2020.

Despite the solid 2021 year with the Tigers, Boyd only made 15 starts, missing time because of a triceps strain and then the final month with a forearm issue. He signed with the San Francisco Giants in 2022, but never pitched for them after undergoing forearm flexor tendon surgery, Boyd was traded to the Seattle Mariners in August of 2022, and tossed 13.1 innings to end the year. Boyd looked good, recording a 1.35 ERA in 10 bullpen appearances.

Boyd signed back with the Tigers for the 2023 season, but after making 15 starts he needed Tommy John surgery that ended his year by the end of June. With all those recent issues, Boyd has not pitched more than 80 innings in a season since 2019. (He was healthy in 2020)

This very much reminds me of the Drew Smyly signing. Who at times was fine, was actually great for some stretches and then fizzled out at the end.