MLB
Cardinals agree on $44M deal with pitcher Steven Matz
The St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly reached an agreement with former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Steven Matz on a four-year, $44 million deal.
The St. Louis Cardinals are aiming to continue last season’s success by beefing up their roster and have reached an agreement with pitcher Steven Matz on a four-year, $44 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The contract, which is pending a physical, incorporates incentives that could fetch Matz up to $48 million.
Injury and inconsistency
The former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher has been plagued by injuries throughout his seven-year career in the league. He pitched for the Jays last season after spending his first six years in the MLB with the New York Mets, where he delivered inconsistent numbers.
In the second half of 2019, he had a sold performance, pitching to a 3.52 ERA and 1.197 WHIP.
Then the left-hander had the worst showing of his career the following year where he posted a 9.68 ERA over 30 2/3 innings in nine appearances, as he struggled with a shoulder injury during a season shortened by the pandemic. He was traded to the Blue Jays in an agreement that added Sean Reid-Foley and Yennsy Diaz to the Nets pitching staff.
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Bouncing back with the Blue Jays
Matz rallied and had a career-best performance last season with the Blue Jays. He went 14-7 through 150 2/3 innings with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts striking out 144, helping lift Toronto to 91 wins.
As he was able to pitch for the whole season for the Blue Jays, his problems with injuries became less of an issue for prospective suitors in free agency. The Long Island native is reported to have received offers from at least eight teams, including the Mets.
The 30-year-old, who has posted a career ERA of 4.24, helps round out the Cardinals rotation headed by three-time All Star Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty.