Matthew Boyd is back.
The veteran left-hander’s one-year, $10 million contract with the Detroit Tigers became official Wednesday — exactly two weeks after reports surfaced — marking his return to the city he calls his second home. The 31-year-old pitched for the Tigers from 2015-21 and always kept the door open for a reunion.
“I feel like there’s unfinished business here,” Boyd said Wednesday.
Boyd, a Seattle native, is ultra-passionate about Tigers fans, president of baseball operations Scott Harris, manager A.J. Hinch, pitching coach Chris Fetter and the opportunity to take a step forward, both as an individual and as a team, under new leadership.
He believes his best baseball is ahead of him.
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“The things I’ve said over the first seven years I was here, about winning a championship and what it would mean to the city, those don’t just go away overnight because you get released,” Boyd said. “Those are emotions that you’re tied to. All those things still ring true. … I’m thankful to be back here. I’m excited to be back here. I always hoped I would have the chance.”
The Tigers signed Boyd, who turns 32 in February, for two main reasons: to mentor the young pitchers, as clubhouse chemistry is of the utmost importance, and to help win games early in the season as a starting pitcher with upside.
Boyd remembers being mentored by veterans Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann and Aníbal Sánchez throughout his early years as a big leaguer in Detroit, just like he remembers serving as the mentor to youngsters Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning in his final years with the Tigers as an established pitcher.
Returning to the starting rotation, following a brief stint in the bullpen with the Seattle Mariners last season, was “non-negotiable” in discussions with teams as a free agent this offseason.
“That sounds egotistical, but my job is to make that an easy decision,” Boyd said. “I know what I can do when I have the ball in my hand in the first inning. I love the ability to dictate a game, to control the outcome. That’s our job as a starting pitcher, to impose your will on the hitter, dictate the outing and do it…