The Los Angeles Angels have been the busiest team this offseason, loading up on free agents to try to bolster their roster in all aspects after having a dismal 2024.

Pulling a veteran arm with something to prove doesn’t seem out of the norm for a team like the Angels and that’s where Matthew Boyd of the Cleveland Guardians comes in. Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report, the starter could land a two-year, $20 million contract with the Halos this offseason.

More news: Angels make trades with NL Central team as busy offseason continues

“Boyd was one of the guys the Guardians called up to replace Bieber, and he did it better than they could have expected. He allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts, followed by 11 innings of one-run the ball in the postseason,” Rymer wrote.

The southpaw hasn’t exceeded 100 innings since 2019, so expectations need to be checked in that regard. But at the very least, he offers a slider that has drawn a 44.9 percent whiff rate in 2024 .”

Boyd underwent Tommy John surgery on June 27, 2023, and his return to the mound was quick. On June 29, 2024 – almost exactly a year later – he signed with the Cleveland Guardians, ready to begin the next chapter of his career.

The Guardians understood that Boyd would need time to rebuild his arm strength after surgery. They helped him return to action with five minor league games, where he pitched 21.1 innings to get back into shape. Just over 14 months after surgery, Boyd returned to the majors on August 13, 2024, completing a remarkable comeback.

Not everyone agrees with Rymer. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has compiled a list of free agents who would benefit most from remaining on their current teams, and it makes the case for starting pitcher Matthew Boyd to re-sign with the Guardians for the 2025 season.

Boyd hasn’t thrown a full season’s innings since 2019, when he was 185 1/3 for the Tigers. The 33-year-old returned from Tommy John surgery in August and pitched very well for the Guardians , posting a 2.72 ERA in eight starts,” Feinsand wrote.

In eight regular season starts, he impressed with a 2-2 record and an excellent 2.72 ERA. When the playoffs began, Boyd elevated his game even further. In 11.2 innings in the postseason, he allowed just one earned run and struck out 14 batters.

More News: Angels Linked to Cy Young Winning Free Agent in Potential Blockbuster Deal