The Boston Red Sox have reached a trade agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals, sending left-handed reliever Steven Matz to Boston, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.
He had his career hindered by injuries. However, the Cardinals shifted him to the bullpen, where he’s found success. Matz has posted a solid 3.44 ERA and a 5.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio in relief appearances.
Now joining the Red Sox, Matz will bolster their bullpen as a left-handed option, able to pitch in high-leverage situations or face left-handed hitters. He also made two starts for the Cardinals this season, so in case of an emergency, the Red Sox can rely on him for a spot start to give their rotation an extra day of rest.
The best stretch of Matz’s career came in 2021 when he played for the Blue Jays in the AL East, going 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA across 29 starts.
On the flip side, the Cardinals are adding a promising power hitter in Blaze Jordan, a first baseman who has drawn attention for his potential at the plate. The Cardinals have been lacking in consistent power, and Jordan could be a key addition to their future lineup. He was expected to make his MLB debut this season, though that timeline could shift now that he’s heading to St. Louis.
As one relief pitcher moves, the market for others, like the Pirates’ David Bednar, continues to heat up. The Pirates should look to take advantage of the current inflated value of relief pitchers.
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