Cubs trade target: Matthew Boyd

One thing I think we can all agree on: The Cubs need starting pitching help.

Previously in this series, I’ve suggested a former Cub, a guy who was once a Cubs Rule 5 pick (and wasn’t kept) and an American League righthander.

Today, let’s look at an American League lefthander. The Cubs have no lefties in their rotation and while that’s not a prerequisite to acquiring a starter, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Matthew Boyd of the Detroit Tigers is having the best year of his career. In 13 starts he’s posted a 3.44 ERA, 1.203 WHIP and 1.5 bWAR.

One thing he’s been susceptible to in the past is the home-run ball, and the Cubs certainly have enough guys who do that already. Boyd led MLB in homers allowed in 2020 (15) and the AL in 2019 (39), but he’s given up just six long balls in 70⅔ innings so far this year.

Boyd is durable. He hasn’t missed a start over the last three and a half seasons. He’s averaging only about 5.5 innings per start this year, but that might not matter with the Cubs’ lockdown bullpen.

Boyd is 30 and under team control through 2022. He’s making $6.5 million this year, which should be financially affordable for the Cubs.

The Tigers aren’t going anywhere this year and should be motivated sellers. Given Boyd’s good performance this year, there will likely be other teams interested in him and the cost in prospects would probably be high.

I don’t have a specific thought right now about who the Cubs would have to send to Detroit for Boyd, so I thought I’d leave that to you. Have at it.