Matthew Boyd – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Matthew Boyd has made a name for himself as a tough, left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. When he signed with the Chicago Cubs in late 2023, Boyd landed a two-year contract worth $29 million, with a shot at an extra $1 million in performance bonuses.

Right now, his salary sits at $14.5 million a year, which pushes his estimated net worth to around $27.9 million.

Boyd has bounced around a bit, pitching for teams like the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants. The Giants gave him a $5.2 million one-year deal in 2022, showing that teams saw real potential in him, even though he had some injury issues.

His career really highlights the unpredictable financial ups and downs that come with life in pro baseball.

The Cubs clearly believe in Boyd’s ability to turn things around in 2024. They made a pretty big commitment after seeing some promising results, betting that his improvements aren’t just a fluke.

If you’re into tracking player contracts and team moves, Boyd’s journey is honestly a fascinating example of how teams value players.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Matthew Boyd’s path to the majors started in his hometown in Washington state. He spent years practicing and competing at different levels of amateur baseball, slowly honing his skills on the mound.

Background and Hometown

Matthew Boyd was born on February 2, 1991, in Mercer Island, Washington. He grew up in this suburb near Seattle and quickly fell in love with baseball.

Even with the Pacific Northwest’s rainy weather, Boyd found ways to develop his game. His left-handed arm stood out early, making him a unique talent among his peers.

Mercer Island’s youth baseball programs gave him plenty of chances to work on his mechanics and better understand the game.

Local coaches noticed his dedication right from the start. Those early years in Washington really shaped his mindset and built the groundwork for his future in baseball.

High School and College Career

Boyd went to Eastside Catholic High School, where he became a promising baseball prospect. His high school days were all about developing his control as a left-handed pitcher.

After finishing high school, Boyd headed to Oregon State University, then later transferred to North Carolina’s Oregon State University. Throughout college, he added new pitches and started catching the eyes of pro scouts.

His stats just kept getting better each season. He really shined as a senior, becoming one of the team’s most dependable starters.

College baseball gave Boyd the chance to sharpen his mechanics and toughen up mentally. Those experiences set him up well for what was coming at the next level.

Matthew Boyd’s MLB Career Overview

Since his debut in 2015, Matthew Boyd has built a reputation as a resilient left-handed pitcher in the big leagues. He’s played for several teams, shifting between starting and relieving, and showing he can adapt to whatever role teams need.

Debut and Early Years

The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Boyd in the 6th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of Oregon State. He made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2015, but that stretch didn’t last long.

A big moment came when the Blue Jays traded him to the Detroit Tigers as part of the David Price deal in July 2015. That trade kicked off his longest stint with any team so far.

With Detroit, Boyd slowly carved out a spot in the rotation. Between 2016 and 2021, he went from a back-end starter to sometimes taking on Opening Day duties. His 2019 season stands out, where he racked up career-high strikeouts.

Trades and Team Changes

After six seasons with the Tigers, things started to shift. Boyd signed with the San Francisco Giants in March 2022 for a year and $5.2 million.

He bounced around a bit more after that. Boyd joined the Seattle Mariners, which must’ve felt like a homecoming since they play close to Mercer Island.

After a return trip to the Tigers in 2023, he landed with the Chicago Cubs on a two-year, $29 million contract, including a $5 million signing bonus. That’s the biggest payday he’s ever signed for.

Role in Team Rotations

Boyd has shown he can fill different pitching roles. With the Tigers, he mostly started games, especially during their rebuilding years.

His best work came in 2019, when he basically became Detroit’s ace. That year, he struck out 238 hitters in just 185.1 innings—a real eye-opener.

Injuries have forced him to bounce between the rotation and bullpen at times. The Cubs see him mainly as a steady rotation piece, bringing some veteran leadership to the staff.

Boyd’s career has been a lesson in resilience. He’s managed to stick around in the majors, even when he’s struggled with giving up home runs or putting together consistent results.

His current $10 million annual salary shows teams still value what he brings.

Contract Details and Negotiations

Matthew Boyd’s MLB journey has included a variety of contracts, each reflecting his value as a left-handed starter. He’s moved from rookie deals to some pretty significant multi-year contracts as he’s proven himself.

First MLB Contract and Signing Bonus

The Toronto Blue Jays picked Boyd in the 6th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, and he signed a modest rookie contract with a typical mid-round signing bonus.

Boyd’s real entry into MLB money came after the Tigers traded for him in 2015. He worked under the standard pre-arbitration deal, making close to the league minimum early on.

Those first contracts stuck to the usual MLB rookie setup—team-controlled, with pay based more on service time than performance.

Salary Evolution and Pay Structure

As Boyd became a key rotation piece for the Tigers, his salary started to climb. He moved through the pre-arbitration years and saw bigger paydays as he got closer to arbitration.

By 2019 and 2020, Boyd was one of Detroit’s most reliable starters, and the team’s payroll reflected that. His strikeout numbers especially helped him in contract talks.

During his arbitration years, Boyd’s pay jumped well above the league minimum, reaching into the millions. These increases showed the Tigers valued his presence on the mound.

Arbitration and Non-Tender Decisions

Boyd went through arbitration with the Tigers a few times. In January 2021, he avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.5 million deal.

Injuries complicated his arbitration years, making negotiations a bit tricky. Even so, Boyd still managed to keep his earning power up, partly because left-handed starters are always in demand.

After the 2021 season, the Tigers decided not to tender him a contract while he recovered from flexor tendon surgery. That move made him a free agent earlier than usual, changing his career path in a big way.

Recent Deals and Free Agency

After the non-tender, Boyd hit free agency and signed a one-year, $5.2 million deal with the San Francisco Giants in March 2022. The contract included up to $2.3 million in bonuses as he worked back from injury.

His value took a big leap in December 2023, when he signed a two-year, $29 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. This deal came with a $5 million signing bonus and guarantees him $14.5 million each season.

The Cubs also threw in performance bonuses up to $1 million, with $500,000 available each year. It’s his biggest, most secure contract so far, proving he’s still a valuable asset, even with some injury history.

Career Milestones and Notable Performances

Matthew Boyd has been a steady presence on the mound during his MLB career. He’s put up some eye-catching strikeout numbers and had seasons that really helped define his reputation as a starting pitcher.

2019 Season Highlights

Boyd’s breakout came in 2019. He put up career-best stats while anchoring the Detroit Tigers pitching staff. That year, he struck out 238 batters over 185.1 innings, showing he could rack up K’s with the best of them.

On April 3, 2019, Boyd fanned 13 Yankees in just 6.1 innings—a game that really showed off his improved slider and command.

Even though the Tigers were struggling, Boyd and Spencer Turnbull gave fans something to cheer about as a solid one-two punch.

He also threw his first complete game shutout that season, proving he could go deep into games when everything clicked.

Strikeout Rate and Pitching Metrics

Boyd’s ability to strike hitters out has been his calling card. In 2019, his K/9 rate jumped to 11.56—right up there with the league’s best.

He relies on a sneaky four-seam fastball in the low 90s and a nasty slider that gets most of his swings and misses. That combo has helped him keep his strikeout numbers up, even in off years.

Advanced stats usually like Boyd. His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) often beats his ERA, which means he sometimes just gets unlucky with the defense behind him.

He’s also known for decent control, usually keeping his walks per nine innings below 3.0.

Significant Home Runs Allowed

Home runs have always been a bit of a thorn in Boyd’s side. In 2019, even with all those strikeouts, he gave up 39 homers—one of the highest totals in the league.

Right-handed sluggers, in particular, have done damage against him. When Boyd leaves his fastball up in the zone, it tends to get hit hard.

Guys like Aaron Judge, José Ramírez, and Nelson Cruz have all taken him deep. It’s a fine line—he can miss bats, but sometimes hitters make him pay.

Boyd has managed to cut down on home runs during certain stretches, especially when he mixes his pitches well and keeps the ball down. If he can keep that up, it’ll go a long way toward making him more effective as a starting pitcher.

Net Worth, Endorsements, and Public Perception

Matthew Boyd has built up a solid amount of wealth through his baseball contracts and has earned a good reputation for his involvement in the community and with fans. His contract decisions and performance on the field have played a big part in shaping both his net worth and how fans see him.

Earnings from Baseball Career

Matt Boyd’s current net worth sits at around $27.9 million, which he earned over his years in Major League Baseball.

He recently signed a two-year deal worth $29 million with the Chicago Cubs, including a $5 million signing bonus.

Before joining the Cubs, Boyd agreed to a $5.2 million one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2022.

Right now, he pulls in about $10 million per year, which says a lot about his reputation as a left-handed pitcher.

Boyd’s earnings have climbed steadily as his career progressed.

His Cubs contract marks his biggest payday so far, and there’s even a chance for an extra $1 million in performance bonuses.

Endorsements and Media Features

Boyd isn’t exactly a household name for endorsements, but he’s landed a handful of regional sponsorships that add to his baseball income.

Most of these deals come from baseball equipment brands and some Chicago businesses since he joined the Cubs.

He keeps a pretty low-key social media presence, but it does help him connect with fans and boost his marketability a bit.

You’ll catch him on platforms like ESPN and Yahoo Sports every now and then, which has nudged his public profile beyond just die-hard baseball fans.

When the media covers Boyd, they usually focus on his pitching and how he bounces back from injuries.

Reporters often mention his work ethic and professionalism, which has earned him a solid reputation among sports journalists.

Impact on Fans and Community

Boyd has built a reputation for being accessible to fans.

He often shows up at meet-and-greet events and autograph sessions, and Cubs fans have really warmed up to him since he signed with the team.

He gets involved in things like:

• Youth baseball clinics
• Charity fundraisers
• Hospital visits in the cities where he plays

Fans on social media seem to appreciate both his pitching and his personality.

Boyd interacts with supporters on Twitter and Instagram, sharing bits of his baseball life and some personal moments too.

Analysts often point to Boyd’s resilience through injuries as inspiration for younger players.

His comeback stories hit home with fans who admire his determination and his steady approach to tough times.

Injury History and Off-Field Life

Injuries have shaped much of Matthew Boyd’s career, but his life away from baseball gives a glimpse into his character and what matters to him beyond the sport.

Tommy John Surgery and Recovery

Boyd ran into a huge setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery.

That elbow injury (details here) forced him into a long, tough rehab process.

He spent a big chunk of his prime years off the mound, and at times, his future in baseball looked pretty uncertain.

Boyd’s recovery wasn’t easy, but he stuck with it and fought his way back.

The Cubs kept a close eye on his progress and still decided to invest in him with a two-year, $29 million contract, even knowing his injury history.

A lot of analysts now see Boyd as a legitimate breakout candidate, despite any concerns about age or past injuries.

He keeps showing that he can overcome physical challenges, and honestly, it’s hard not to root for a comeback like his.

Personal Life and Interests

Off the field, Boyd—who folks call “Matty B”—grew up in Mercer Island, Washington. He went on to Oregon State for college before the draft picked him up in 2013.

Boyd really throws himself into charity work and community projects. Alongside his wife, he’s poured time and energy into fighting human trafficking. They even started a foundation that rescues and supports victims.

He’s a family guy at heart, always juggling baseball with being a husband and dad. Teammates say he brings good vibes to the clubhouse and often steps up as a mentor, especially for the younger pitchers.

Boyd’s not all baseball, though. He loves getting outside—no surprise if you know the Pacific Northwest. He keeps in touch with his old college, and now and then, you’ll catch him back at Oregon State, cheering on their baseball team.