Steven Matz will get a chance to put a miserable 2020 season behind him. It just won’t be in Queens.
This week, the Toronto Blue Jays finalized a trade to acquire Matz from the New York Mets for three prospects.
Matz, a 29-year old left-hander, posted a dreadful 0-5 record in the 2020 season, with a ridiculous 9.58 earned run average. The Mets dropped him from their starting rotation after starting the season 0-4. He then made three relief appearances and a spot start.
MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN tweeted further details of the trade, which was later confirmed by the Mets.
Three right-handed pitchers are headed to the Mets in exchange for Matz … Sean Reid-Foley, Yennsy Diaz, and Josh Winckowski.
Matz, a Stony Brook native, completes six seasons with the Mets. He had just agreed to a $5.2 million, one year deal with the team in December.
Big picture, this is a scenario where it’s best both sides are moving on from one another. The Mets are making off-season moves which are trending towards an upgraded starting rotation. There wasn’t any room for Matz anymore in Queens. There’s also speculation the team is positioning for the opportunity to sign free agent Trevor Bauer.
Bauer, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, could slot into the number two spot in the starting rotation. It would be a formidable 1-2 punch with the ace of the staff, Jacob deGrom. According to multiple reports, the Mets are considered one of the finalists to sign Bauer. Moving Matz, along with his $5.2 million, helps clears space for the Mets to make move. We’ll see if it’s Bauer or perhaps the center field position.
As for Matz, this is an opportunity for him to turn the page and start fresh. He’s shown the talent to be a solid starting pitcher, perhaps still a legitimate number two in a team’s rotation. However, his inconsistency for the Mets was maddening and, ultimately, led to his departure from the team.
Image: (Al Bello/Getty Images)
