Another domino has fallen in the starting pitcher’s market. The St. Louis Cardinals now have the left-handed starter they were searching for.
Late last night, it was reported by MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo that the Cardinals and Steven Matz had agreed on a four-year, $44 million deal. Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Matz will have a chance to reach $48 million and receive a signing bonus.
Matz is coming off his best season yet, going 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts with the Blue Jays in 2021. Matz had been on the Cardinals radar for some time, with teams such as the Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, and Mets being among the other potential suitors.
Speaking of the Mets, DiComo, who is New York’s MLB.com beat reporter, had been following the market for Matz. He had reported that the Mets were potentially closing in on a deal to bring back their former lefty starter. It didn’t work out.
And as has become common over the past few months when things go wrong, Mets owner Steve Cohen threw a hissy fit over social media, expressing anger towards Matz’s agent, Rob Martin.
“I’m not happy this morning,” Cohen tweeted. “I’ve never seen such unprofessional behavior exhibited by a player’s agent. I guess words and promises don’t matter.”
Cohen had told the New York Post that Matz had reached out to him about a potential return to New York and that the Mets were his top choice. But there’s absolutely zero indication other than a claim by Cohen that Matz returning to the Mets was imminent.
Mets gonna Met.
Martin released a statement this morning, expressing his opinion on Cohen taking to Twitter to call him out.
“It’s unfortunate that he chose to take his frustrations to Twitter. I will not do the same, and instead, will take the high road which is consistent with both my character and the character of our client. Steven Matz grew up a Mets fan, loved his time there, and continues to invest in the New York Community through his efforts supporting NY’s First Responders.
“As a result of all that, there was a strong pull to return to the Mets. But ultimately he made the decision he felt was best for him and his family. Steven is and always will be grateful to the Mets and Mets fans, but he now looks forward to his next chapter with the tremendous franchise in St. Louis.”
With the likely departures of Kwang-Hyun Kim, Jon Lester, and J.A. Happ, the need for a lefty starter became clear for St. Louis. The Cardinals hope Matz can fill that role and prove capable of replicating his success from 2021.
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