5 potential trade destinations for Cardinals' Steven Matz

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The St. Louis Cardinals are rumored to be willing to trade Steven Matz this offseason. After the additions of Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson, and now Sonny Gray, St. Louis's rotation is full. However, the Cardinals are still reportedly interested in trades by Derrick Goold (chat linked here), Jack Azoulay-Haron, and Michael Marino. Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat has also given credence to these reports.

Whether that five holds is unclear. Matz, for one, was discussed in trades last summer, and also showed seemingly higher ceiling in the bullpen than the rotation. Their interest in Yamamoto is real.

They can be done in the rotation. They would not have to be.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) November 27, 2023

One pitcher who is rumored to be traded is Steven Matz. The left-handed pitcher signed with the Cardinals on a 4-year, $44 million contract before the 2022 season. He has two years and $22 million left on the contract. Given the current pitching market, that is a reasonable salary for a team to take on, particularly a team that is looking to keep their payroll low while also building up their rotation.

If St. Louis stands pat for the rest of the offseason and doesn't add another starting pitcher, Matz can serve on the back end of their rotation. If St. Louis does indeed add another starting pitcher, their fourth this offseason, Matz can either be moved to the bullpen as a swingman or traded in a package. Recent reports indicate that he might be traded, as John Mozeliak doesn't appear to be finished just yet.

There are plenty of teams that are able to take on Matz's salary while also providing a starting pitcher in return. St. Louis could not trade just Steven Matz; they'll have to include one of their outfield players in Tyler O'Neill, Alec Burleson, or Dylan Carlson, or one of Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, or Tommy Edman. A young prospect could only sweeten the deal.

Here are five teams who could be interesting trade pieces should the Cardinals shop Steven Matz.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are perennial contenders. They are a large market team, and they are in need of help. Their current projected starting rotation for 2024 figures to be Chris Sale, Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck. Only one of those pitchers pitched greater than 150 innings last year, and not one of the pitchers had an ERA below 4.00. Garrett Whitlock figures to receive some innings as a starter, although he profiles primarily as a swingman.

The Red Sox are in need of some reinforcements in their starting rotation. Steven Matz could provide that upside. His career 4.25 ERA would help, and his 3.86 ERA last year would have also led their staff. While Matz is injury-prone, he would provide more depth to their starting rotation. Boston doesn't have many pitchers in their prospect pipeline, but perhaps the Red Sox could be coaxed into moving on from either Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, or Kutter Crawford. Bello would require additional players paired with Matz, but he could be available for the right price.

With James Paxton's departure through free agency, the Red Sox could use another starting pitcher to provide depth at that position. While Matz does have some injury history, he is capable of providing plenty of innings from the rotation. He could also provide bullpen assistance should the Red Sox fill out the rotation through free agency.

Baltimore Orioles

St. Louis poached Kyle Gibson from the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles have a young, untested starting rotation that could use some experience to build up the team's floor. Baltimore's bullpen also struggled late in games, as their relievers blew 61% of their save opportunities (31 blown saves in 80 situations). While Steven Matz doesn't have much save experience, he can bridge the gap between the starters and the late-inning relievers should he transition to the bullpen.

Matz could also fill the spot in the rotation that Kyle Gibson left behind when he signed with the Cardinals. According to Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs, Baltimore's starting rotation will consist of Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, and a spattering of other young pitchers. Only one pitcher on that list has more than 3 years of experience, so Matz would be a good veteran lefty to add to the mix.

Baltimore will find its success through their offensive prowess. They have plenty of young, capable players in the field. Where Matz may thrive in Baltimore would be his ability to induce ground balls. He limits barrels and forces batters to keep the ball on the ground. With a stout defense, he should see success in Baltimore.

In return, St. Louis could request one of the many infielders that Baltimore has to offer. Should Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman, or Nolan Gorman be traded elsewhere, St. Louis will have to net something in return. A versatile infielder such as Ramon Urias or Jorge Mateo could be had for Matz.

New York Yankees

Once again, the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals are potential trade partners. Both local and national reporters have indicated that these two teams could make a mutually beneficial trade with each other. The Yankees have plenty of pitchers to offer the Cardinals, and the Cardinals can send any of their young outfielders back in exchange.

If St. Louis pairs Steven Matz with any one of Dylan Carlson, Tyler O'Neill, or Alec Burleson, the Yankees could send back Clayton Beeter, Clarke Schmidt, or even Nestor Cortes Jr. New York may ask for some cash to be exchanged as well, but St. Louis could manage that in order to get a high-end pitching prospect or an MLB-ready talent back.

The Yankees will receive a strong outfielder in exchange. O'Neill or Carlson could play center capably, and Burleson and O'Neill both provide above-average bats. Burleson and Carlson have plenty of team control left as well.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox's new general manager Chris Getz seems intent on making the roster his own this year. However, he still needs to field a legitimate team. The White Sox need some pitching depth behind Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech, and Steven Matz could provide just that. Conversely, the Cardinals could coax the White Sox out of keeping their resident ace in Cease.

Steven Matz will make $11 million next year, and Dylan Cease is projected to receive around $9 million through arbitration. Those two salaries practically offset each other. St. Louis would need to sweeten the deal and could send over one of their pitching prospects such as Matthew Liberatore, Gordon Graceffo, or Michael McGreevy. Chicago is also looking for a second baseman, so Brendan Donovan would make the trade even more appealing.

Chicago would practically enter a full reset with this trade, but they'll receive a serviceable starting pitcher, a prospect with the potential to be a depth starter, and a defensively versatile left-handed batter with many years left of control.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays appear to be the perfect candidate to trade for Steven Matz. Redbird Rants' own Josh Jacobs recently discussed how logical this trade partnership is. Tampa Bay is looking to shed salary, and they can do that by trading the most expensive player on their roster: Tyler Glasnow.

Glasnow is projected to make $25 million next year. Tampa Bay's payroll is projected to exceed $115 million, a position they haven't been in, and they are looking to save money wherever they can. Keep in mind, the Rays aren't looking to rebuild or reset; they are instead looking to receive talent in exchange and still contend next year.

Both Glasnow and Matz have injury histories that are concerning. Steven Matz is not nearly as good of a starting pitcher as Glasnow when both are healthy, but the Rays have plenty of other capable starting pitchers in Shane McClanahan, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Shane Baz, and Taj Bradley. Steven Matz would provide some more quality innings for the Rays in the back of their rotation.

In return, St. Louis has a few players they would have to send the Rays' way. Josh Jacobs said that the Cardinals would send Steven Matz, one of the team's outfielders, and one of their lower-end prospects, probably a pitcher. This trade fills a need for both teams. St. Louis gets a top-of-the-rotation arm, and Tampa Bay gets a serviceable starter, a talented outfielder in either Carlson, O'Neill, or Burleson, and the Cardinals throw in a pitching prospect the Rays can shape however they want.

The Cardinals and Rays appear to be great trade partners with Steven Matz and Tyler Glasnow. The Rays can shed salary while gaining some talented prospects, and the Cardinals get an All-Star pitcher to complete their revamped rotation.

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