Chicago Cubs acquire free agent pitcher Matt Boyd in a $29 million deal

The Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement with left-handed pitcher Matt Boyd, 31, for a two-year contract valued at $29 million, along with an additional $1 million in performance incentives.

Boyd is eligible for $100,000 bonuses for each season in which he pitches 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 innings during the duration of the contract. Notably, he has not exceeded 80 innings pitched in a season since 2019.

The agreement is contingent upon Boyd passing a physical examination, but it is anticipated that the former Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher will officially join the Cubs, representing the team's first significant free agent acquisition of the offseason.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Boyd made his return last season, finishing with a record of 2-2 and an impressive earned run average of 2.72 over eight starts. During his time with the Guardians, he pitched 39.2 innings, allowing 32 hits and 13 walks while recording 46 strikeouts.

Opposing batters managed only a .213 batting average against Boyd last season, marking a career-best performance for him as a starting pitcher.

With a career ERA of 4.85, it is clear why the Cubs sought to enhance their roster with the experienced left-hander following his successful comeback season.

This will be Boyd's fifth team in 11 years, having made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015, the same year he was traded to the Tigers.