Matthew Boyd did exactly what a veteran pitcher in his spot is supposed to do. He declined his end of the $15 million mutual option, took the $2 million buyout, and put himself back on the market while he still has leverage.
That shouldn't be read as Boyd slamming the door shut in Chicago's face, but in this sort of situation, it's actually pretty routine. Boyd turns 36 in February, the current labor deal is about to expire, and pitchers with an injury history like his aren't going to have many more opportunities to to test the waters.
Boyd gave the Cubs their money's worth
The Cubs got exactly what they paid for when they agreed on a two-year, $29 million deal. Boyd posted solid numbers in 2025, with a 3.21 ERA across 179 2/3 innings. He was even able to be useful after injury cut his 2026 to only 126 2/3 innings, but to be fair the pitching staff was drowning at the time, and a pitcher that was able to finish the season with a 3.91 ERA was a breath of fresh air.
The last impression was ugly, with Boyd starting Game 1 of the Wild Card Series in San Diego where he gave up three home runs in only four innings of work. It's just another bump in the rocky road that led to the Cubs being in that series in the first place, and it shouldn't be what defines the lefty in fan's eyes.
Boyd isn't the only hole. Clay Holmes, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, and David Peterson are also all entering free agency.
That's why the Cubs should try to bring him back. With the Cubs needing to rebuild their starting rotation this season, having a familiar face that has proven the ability to eat innings is a great starting point, and it makes a frustrating job in the offseason one layer easier in the process.
A nice two year deal with a good price tag considering his age and injury history, and he could be just the right component to bring back and put together a starting rotation that can support the defense behind them.
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