Matthew Boyd went from being a lottery ticket in June to one of the team’s most reliable starters in the stretch run and the postseason for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024.
Re-signing him had become one of the off-season priorities, as fans got to witness what he can contribute to a pitching staff.
Late on Sunday, however, it was announced that he signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, leaving the Guardians for good.
“Cleveland #Guardians free agent LHP Matthew Boyd is signing with the Chicago Cubs on a 2-year $29MM dollar contract that includes $1MM in possible incentives. Reported by @JonHeyman,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians free agent LHP Matthew Boyd is signing with the Chicago Cubs on a 2-year $29MM dollar contract that includes $1MM in possible incentives.
– reported by @JonHeyman
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) December 2, 2024
It is unclear if the Guards pushed for his return, but they should have.
The Cubs are getting a solid lefty with experience and very good stuff.
Boyd posted a 2.72 ERA in eight regular season starts with Cleveland this year, covering 39.2 frames.
He walked 13 and struck out 46 batters.
The team was patient with him and waited for him to finish his Tommy John surgery rehab.
Boyd was a beast in the 2024 postseason, too.
In three starts and 11.2 innings of work, he delivered a 0.77 ERA with six walks and 14 strikeouts.
It would have been ideal for the Guardians to have Boyd back.
They will now have to look elsewhere for a quality starter, but they had a sure thing in Boyd.
The team still haven’t made any relevant additions to their rotation, their most pressing area of need.
They still have plenty of time, though, and the entire Winter Meetings next week to pull something off.
NEXT: Why Re-Signing Shane Bieber Makes Sense For The Guardians
