The will to prepare to win that makes the difference

CHICAGO -- Matthew Boyd is thankful for his new opportunity with the Chicago Cubs. He is hoping to help the team reach the playoffs as a key addition to its starting rotation.

The fact that his late grandfather John Boyd was a big fan? That makes this signing all the more sweet for him.

Boyd finalized a $29 million, two-year contract last weekend after making a successful return from Tommy John surgery.

Boyd went 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA in eight starts with Cleveland. He also made three postseason starts for the AL Central champions, giving up one run while striking out 14 in 11⅔ innings. The Seattle-area product joins a rotation that includes Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon.

Boyd sees postseason potential in a solid rotation and a lineup led by Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong, one of the teams top prospects.

The Cubs announced manager Craig Counsells coaching staff for next season Monday, including several newcomers: first base coach Jose Javier, third base coach Quentin Berry, assistant pitching coach Casey Jacobson and staff assistant A.J. Lewis.

Mark Strittmatter moves to bullpen coach after spending last season as major league field coordinator. The Cubs also appointed Kevin Poppe head strength and conditioning coach and Mark Weisman assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Tracking the offseason MLB trades and signings with fantasy baseball implications for the upcoming season, Eric Karabell and Tristan H. Cockcroft will analyze and provide an outlook for all of the key players involved.

Rays settled on Steinbrenner Field at the spring training complex of the rival New York Yankees in Tampa, Florida, for the upcoming season. What's next for the domed stadium in St. Petersburg is uncertain, as is the plan for a new stadium there.