The Cleveland Guardians have reached an agreement with starting pitcher Matthew Boyd, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Boyd has yet to pitch this season as he’s been recovering from Tommy John surgery, which ended his 2023 campaign with the Detroit Tigers in June. Prior to the surgery, Boyd wasn’t exactly dominant, posting a 5.45 ERA in 15 starts with an ERA+ of 81. He did, however, rack up 73 strikeouts in 71 innings, good for a 9.3 K/9.
Cleveland hopes Boyd can return to his 2019 form, when he mowed down 238 batters in 185.1 innings, boasting a career high 11.6 K/9. He’s shown flashes since then but hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
Heyman’s report notes that the agreement depends on the outcome of a physical. And while that’s often a formality in free agent signings, with Boyd, it’s cause for concern. The left handed starter has a lengthy injury history that has impacted his last three seasons and delayed his debut in 2024.
However, his talent is undeniable and the injury issues mean Cleveland can land him on the cheap, making him a low risk, high reward player. If he manages to stay healthy and round into form for the second half of the season, it would be a big boost for the team.
Guardians add starting pitching depth for second half push
The AL Central-leading Guardians have a 7.5 game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the division and the second best winning percentage in baseball. They’re clear contenders this season despite serious concerns about their starting rotation.
Cleveland lost its ace Shane Bieber to Tommy John surgery after just two starts and outside of solid contributions from Tanner Bibee and Ben Lively, the rotation has been problematic.
The Guardians are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline, specifically on the hunt for pitching help. The arrival of Boyd doesn’t change that. But he makes a lot of sense for the cost conscious Guardians, who hope Boyd can add some life to a moribund rotation – or at least protect the bullpen by stringing together some quality starts.
The team hopes to have promising young righty Gavin Williams back soon as he continues to rehab in Triple-A after spending the entire season to date on the injured list with a right elbow issue.
Maybe Boyd becomes a reliable backend starter behind Williams, Bibee and Lively. Or, if Cleveland swings a deal at the trade deadline and somehow suddenly finds themselves flush with starting pitching, maybe Boyd shifts to relief – he made 10 appearances from the bullpen in 2022 with the Mariners.
Many of the top starters likely to be available at the trade deadline come from within the division. Pitchers like the White Sox’s Garrett Crochet and Erick Fedde and the Tigers’ Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal are expected to be on the block for the right price.
The question is, how much will the Guardians be willing to pay? Cleveland has the fifth lowest payroll in the majors and values its prospects. While Garrett Crochet will likely be far too expensive, some insiders believe the Guardians should target Flaherty. However, he becomes a free agent after this season, making him a second half rental.
The baseball watching world will have to wait a month to find out how the Guardians handle the deadline and set themselves up for a postseason run. Chances are, Matthew Boyd is just the opening salvo.
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