Blue Jays close to acquiring Steven Matz from the Mets

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets pitches during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets pitches during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Toronto Blue Jays are close to acquiring pitcher Steven Matz from the New York Mets in exchange for Sean Reid-Foley, Yennsy Diaz and Josh Winckowski.

The 29-year old southpaw struggled last season in nine appearances including six starts for the Mets. In 30.2 innings of work, Matz surrendered 33 runs including 14 home runs catapulting his earned run average to an inflated 9.68.

Matz is set to earn $5.2 million this season before hitting the open market in 2022. The former second round selection has enjoyed success at the major league level posting a 3.97 earned run average in 2018 and an even better 3.40 in 2016.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

Sean Reid-Foley headlines the trio of arms headed to New York in the swap. The 25-year old has made 21 appearances including 13 starts across three seasons for Toronto. Reid-Foley sports a career 4.40 earned run average while having trouble finding the strike zone at times.

The 24-year old Diaz has made just one appearance at the MLB level pitching 0.2 of an inning in 2019. The Dominican Republic native owns a career 34-26 record with a respectable 3.84 earned run average in 96 games on the farm.

Winckowski has yet to pitch above High-A ball after being selected in the 15th round of the 2016 amateur draft. In 2019, he went 10-8 with a 2.69 earned run average in 24 games for Dunedin and Lansing.

Matz will add some much needed depth to a depleted starting rotation that is without starters Matt Shoemaker and Taijuan Walker from last season. As it currently stands, Matz will join the likes of Hyun Jin Ryu, Nate Pearson, Robbie Ray, Tanner Roark and Anthony Kay as rotation candidates for 2021.

Initially on it’s face, the price tag appears steep for one season of Matz but it also frees up a couple of roster spots on the 40-man roster for presumably Marcus Semien and Matz. The brain trust continue to make things happen as they attempt to build a winner for 2021 and beyond.

What are your thoughts on the trade, chime in the comments below?

Schedule