New York Mets trading pitcher Steven Matz to Toronto Blue Jays
Steven Matz, the Long Island kid, grew up a Mets fan. His dream came true when he debuted for the team in 2015 and, since, he's been a mainstay in the club's rotation.
That's why Wednesday night's news marks the end of an era.
The Mets are trading Matz to the Blue Jays, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Bergen (New Jersey) Record. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official. The Mets, per reports, are receiving right-handed pitching prospects Josh Winckowski, Sean Reid-Foley and Yennsy Diaz in return.
For the first time since he was drafted in 2009, Matz will play for an organization not named the New York Mets.
By trading Matz, the Mets save the $5.2 million they owed him in 2021. Of course, there is also speculation that they moved him to clear room for top free agent starter Trevor Bauer, to whom the club has been linked recently.
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Multiple reports suggest the Mets already have an offer out to Bauer. If that's the case, trading Matz could be preparation for Bauer to accept. It can also just be a salary dump, a way for the Mets to free up money to use in filling other needs.
We'll soon see.
What's next for the Mets?
There are two likely paths here:
1. The Mets cleared room for Bauer.
OR
2. They used this move to save money to fill other needs.
Bauer is demanding a lucrative contract, but president Sandy Alderson this offseason called the $210 million luxury tax threshold a "significant demarcation." The Mets likely would put themselves above it by signing Bauer, though they could, for example, dump salary via a Jeurys Familia trade (he is due to make around $12 million in 2021.
And to add steam to the "Bauer to the Mets" idea, the Angels — one of Bauer's potential suitors — are believed to be out of the running for the right-hander, according to the Los Angeles Times.
If the Mets pass on Bauer, they could add rotation depth in another way — either through free agency or another trade. They recently acquired Joey Lucchesi from the Padres.
They also want to upgrade in center field if possible and, as of now, the best option appears to be Jackie Bradley Jr. They also could look to improve at third base, or even sign a true second baseman like Kolten Wong, who was non-tendered by the Cardinals.
Of course, option No. 1 — freeing up space for Bauer — is the popular topic right now as the rumors surrounding him heat up. But at the end of the day, the Mets saved $5.2 million by dealing Matz, who might have had a tough time justifying that salary because he would have been competing for, at best, the No. 5 spot in the rotation to start the season.
Homegrown talent leaves Queens
On June 28, 2015, his first start, Matz announced himself to the fanbase — of which he was a part — with a two-run double in his first big league plate appearance. He finished with three hits and four RBI, and held the Reds to two runs over 7⅔ innings, to lead the Mets to victory.
Matz leaves Queens with a 4.35 career ERA over 112 games (107 of them starts). His ERA looks worse because of an awful 2020 campaign during which he posted a 9.68 ERA.
Still, even with a bullpen demotion toward the end of his tenure, he was a part of the franchise's rotation since the day he broke onto the scene. He pitched in the postseason in 2015, including in Game 4 of the World Series against the Royals.
Matz's time with the Mets might be defined as much by his off-field contributions. He's beloved for his Tru32 initiative, which honors first responders and their families.
Matz's time with the Mets didn't end the way he wanted. In 2020, he received a demotion to the bullpen, struggled with an injury and could never find himself.
No one doubted his ability, but he never pitched to his full potential last season. With Toronto, he will be competing for a rotation spot with a chance to return to form.
Who did the Mets get for Matz?
The Mets seemingly did well on the return for Matz.
Reid-Foley pitched in the bigs in 2020, notching a 1.35 ERA over 6⅔ innings in five relief appearances for Toronto. Over parts of three MLB seasons, he pitched to a 4.40 ERA over 71⅔ innings in 21 games (13 of them starts).
The 24-year-old Diaz was Toronto's No. 26 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, while Winckowski, 22, was the organization's No. 27 prospect.
Diaz in 2019 made his major league debut, but otherwise has only pitched as high as Double A. In Double A in 2019, he tallied a 3.74 ERA in 24 starts (26 total appearances).
In 2019, Winckowski threw 53⅔ innings in High A. Over those 11 games — 10 of them starts — he pitched to a 3.19 ERA.
Again: Matz appeared to have a tough path to contributing for the Mets in 2021. Not only did the team shed his salary, but it received three prospects, a good return for someone they might not have used much in the upcoming season.
Justin Toscano is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. Email: toscanoj@northjersey.com. Twitter: @justinctoscano