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The Boston Red Sox acquired left-hander Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals, the teams announced Wednesday night.
First-base prospect Blaze Jordan will head to St. Louis as the return. The 22-year-old is hitting .308 with an .872 OPS and has slugged 12 homers across Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester this year. He entered the season ranked as Boston’s No. 20 prospect, according to The Athletic’s Keith Law.
Matz, 34, emerged as a valuable asset in the Cardinals’ bullpen after spending the past three seasons as an oft-injured starting pitcher. St. Louis used him predominantly as a multi-inning setup man, but Matz is stretched out enough to be used in a swingman role if needed.
The Red Sox remain in the hunt for a No. 2 starter and a first baseman.
The trade comes on the heels of the Cardinals’ deal of Ryan Helsley, who was dealt to the New York Mets before St. Louis’ 2-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt were traded to the Cardinals for Helsley.
The Cardinals also expect to deal right-handed reliever Phil Maton before Thursday’s deadline.
In 32 appearances (two starts) for the Cardinals, Matz went 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA. He dominated left-handed hitters, with lefties averaging just .179 against him this year.
Should Boston wish to use Matz in a hybrid role, it shouldn’t take long to stretch him out. Over half of his relief appearances this year spanned multiple innings, and he threw 39 pitches in one outing on July 13.
According to a team source, the Red Sox will use Matz in a multi-inning role and as protection for left-hander Justin Wilson. Matz marks the fifth lefty in the bullpen alongside Wilson, close Aroldis Chapman, Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy. Bernardino or Murphy are likely to be optioned to make room for Matz.
Matz is in the final year of a four-year, $44 million deal he signed before the 2022 season. He has about $4.1 million remaining on his salary and will be a free agent.
As a Rule 5 eligible prospect this winter, Jordan seemed to be a prime prospect for the Red Sox to trade. That seemed even more the case when the Red Sox, in need of first base help following the Triston Casas injury, opted not to promote him. Throughout his minor-league career, Jordan offered slug, but his offense dipped a bit after a promotion to Triple A. He had posted a .928 OPS in 44 games in Double A but has an .809 OPS through 43 games in a very hitter-friendly Polar Park at Triple A.
Trade grade
Red Sox: B+
Cardinals: A-
Steven Matz never fully lived up to his four-year contract with the Cardinals, but he had finally found a niche with them, settling in as resident Guy Who Knows How To Pitch. In his first (mostly) full year in relief, he’s limited home runs and avoided walks, and his experience as a starter makes him an option for multiple innings, if needed. Every bullpen could use a guy like this year’s version of Matz, even if he’s on the higher end of the pay scale for his new role. The Red Sox were an obvious fit, and they’ll almost certainly enjoy their adventures with Guy Who Knows How To Pitch.
The Cardinals will get Blaze Jordan in return. Apologies if that’s italicized back there. We’re dealing with the weirdest bug, where when you type the name Blaze Jordan, it only appears in italics. Blaze Jordan. Here, you try it. Blaze Jordan. Maybe it’s because that’s how I say the name out loud. Blaze Jordan.
Anyway, Blaze Jordan is a corner infielder, not a speedy center fielder, so at first you’re disappointed with the name/player combination. But then you look at a picture of him, and he totally looks like a guy named Blaze who lived in the same dorm as you, two floors down, which makes the name/player combo work again.
He’s also an interesting prospect. Jordan is a third-rounder out of a Missouri high school, and he makes a ton of contact, and he’s still young enough (22) to where his power might still be developing. Our own Keith Law writes that he’ll show off 70-grade power in batting practice, but that he can’t replicate it in game situations. Considering that he had more walks than strikeouts in Double A before a promotion, a little more power could turn him into a future regular. That’s a mighty fine return for a middle reliever, even for one who knows how to pitch. — Grant Brisbee
— The Athletic’s Will Sammon contributed to this story
(Photo of Steven Matz: Tim Vizer / Imagn Images)
