Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd decline player options with Chicago Cubs

Starting pitchers Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd have declined their player options with the Chicago Cubs, entering free agency.

Clay Holmes comes to free agency following a strong 2026 campaign where he posted a 3.29 ERA and a 60.8% ground ball rate. Reports suggest Holmes may be open to a reunion with the New York Mets, with potential contract comparisons drawn to Sean Manaea’s three-year, $75 million deal.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has identified the pitching staff as the primary area of focus for the organization during the upcoming offseason. The team aims to reinforce its pitching infrastructure to improve overall quality for future seasons.