Former Blue Jays lefty could affect Toronto's pursuits after two-year Rays deal

Steven Matz only spent one season (2021) with the Toronto Blue Jays, though it was arguably the best of his career, as he authored 3.82 ERA and 3.79 FIP over 150 2/3 innings.

He left in free agency for the St. Louis Cardinals, and in the years since, he has converted to being a full-time reliever. This past season, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline, thriving in a low-leverage role as the Red Sox made the playoffs.

Now, Matz appears determined to tour the entirety of the AL East. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Matz is joining the Tampa Bay Rays on a two-year contract in free agency.

Though Matz was never considered a serious Blue Jays target this offseason, the Rays' decision to hand him a multi-year contract could prove important in Toronto's pursuit of another veteran reliever.

Rays' signing of Steven Matz could push Pete Fairbanks to Blue Jays

Over the past week, the Blue Jays have been frequently connected to Pete Fairbanks, the longtime Rays closer who finally hit free agency this winter.

Fairbanks would be an excellent replacement for set-up man Seranthony Dominguez, and he could fill in if closer Jeff Hoffman struggles at any point in 2026 (he has 75 saves over the past three seasons with the Rays).

Since 2023, Fairbanks has worked a 2.98 ERA and 3.31 FIP over 151.0 innings pitched. He throws hard, and as a soon-to-be 32-year-old, he shouldn't command a fortune on his next contract.

Of course, if the Rays try to convert Matz back into being a starter (a dubious proposition, given his significant health concerns), they could still make a play to retain Fairbanks. That may not be quite so easy, given that he'll likely make more than the $11 million Tampa Bay declined to give him on his player option.

That's a price tag the Blue Jays could easily afford, however, especially for a premier late-inning reliever. As things stand, Yimi Garcia and Louis Varland are set to earn the bulk of the high-leverage bullpen innings outside of the ninth, which could prove problematic if Garcia continues to struggle with elbow troubles or if Varland can't bounce back from his postseason performance (5.01 FIP in 16 innings).

Even if they don't get Fairbanks, it's clear there's a need in the bullpen. Matz was never particularly likely to reprise his role in Toronto to fill that need, but here's hoping he doesn't punish the Blue Jays too badly in any future divisional matchups with the Rays.