Updated 9:49 PM EST
Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Mets are in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a deal to send left-handed starter Steven Matz to the Jays in exchange for a trio of players.
Robert Murray of FanSided confirmed that 22-year-old right-hander Josh Winckowski is headed back to New York in the deal.
Winckowski was a 15th-round draft pick of the Jays in 2016. Over 24 appearances (23 starts; 127.1 innings) between Advanced-A Dunedin and Single-A Lansing in 2019, the Florida product pitched to a 2.69 ERA with 108 strikeouts, 43 walks, and 1.20 WHIP.
Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet Canada filled out the rest of the Mets’ return shortly thereafter, adding right-hander Sean Reid-Foley (1.35 ERA in six MLB appearances last season; 4.40 ERA since 2018) and 24-year-old right-hander Yennsy Diaz (3.84 ERA over 96 MiLB appearances; 481 innings).
We will keep you posted with new information as it breaks.
Original Post
According to Mike Mayer of Metsmerized, the New York Mets are “making traction” on a potential deal to trade left-hander Steven Matz.
Matz, 29, was a second-round pick of the Mets (72nd overall) in the 2009 draft out of Ward Melville High in East Setauket, NY.
Since making his debut in 2015, Matz has shown flashes of frontline stuff and has dealt with bouts of inconsistency, holding a 4.35 ERA (4.49 FIP) with 5.2 total wins above replacement (FanGraphs) in his career.
Matz’s second half in 2019 was arguably his high-water mark with New York, pitching to a 3.52 ERA over his final 14 starts, including a terrific stretch that saw him post a 1.94 ERA with 42 strikeouts and nine walks over seven starts from August 7 to Sept 11.
Who the Mets are negotiating with is unknown at this time, but keep it locked onto MMO as we gather more information.
