Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Update, 9:49 PM EST
We’ve gotten some clarity on a couple of things regarding the Mets and Matz, and exactly how popular of a commodity he’s become in the early stages of the offseason.
Jon Heyman reported that seven other teams have also shown interest in the left-hander, including the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Tigers, Cubs, Cardinals, Giants, and Angels. Later on Monday evening, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported that New York has officially made an offer to Matz, which is one of eight offers the southpaw is mulling over at the moment.
Original Article, 7:33 pm EST
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. That only happens in baseball after you’ve had a good year, I guess.
According to Tim Britton of Newsday, the New York Mets are pursuing Steven Matz, who is looking to agree to a deal quickly so it can get finalized before any potential lockout:
The Mets are still in on Steven Matz, a source says. Matz is looking to agree to a deal on Wednesday, which would allow for the contract to be finalized before the likely lockout next week.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) November 23, 2021
Last winter, the Mets traded Matz away to the Toronto Blue Jays, and the left-hander was hoping that a change in scenery would help him. It certainly did, as the 30-year-old southpaw posted a career-high 2.8 fWAR in 150 2/3 innings (29 starts). He put together a 14-7 record to go along with a 3.82 ERA, 22.3% strikeout rate, and 6.6% walk rate. One note about his performance was an improvement in his quality-of-contact numbers. Matz induced soft contact at an 18.9% clip, while he limited hard contact to a 27.1% rate. Prior to 2021, Matz’s hard-hit allowed rate had increased nearly each year between 2015 and 2020.
It’s interesting to see the Mets back in on their former southpaw just a year after trading him away, but hey, crazier things have happened. While it’s most certainly not a requirement, it’d be nice to have another left-handed hurler in the rotation to provide a different look to opposing hitters at the start of games.
