Mets Rumors: Steven Matz Trade Discussed with Blue Jays Before Contract Signing

The New York Mets "contacted the Toronto Blue Jays to gauge their interest" in trading for pitcher Steven Matz, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Rosenthal elaborated on the Mets' motivation in dangling Matz:

"The idea, sources said, was to see if the Jays or another club would offer something of value for Matz at his arbitration salary, giving the Mets more flexibility for other pursuits. The team, of course, is considering virtually all of the top free agents, and could have back-filled its rotation if it had traded Matz and then failed to sign righty Trevor Bauer."

The Mets and Matz ultimately agreed to a one-year, $5.2 million contract.

Matz, 29, had a poor 2020 season, finishing 0-5 with a 9.68 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. Ideally, he will settle into the rotation for the time being behind Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Seth Lugo and David Peterson. Fellow starter Noah Syndergaard is expected to return at some point in 2021 after Tommy John surgery.

If the Mets do land another ace like Bauer, they can put Matz on the trade block again.

Landing Bauer and getting Syndergaard back would make this rotation scary. Granted, the Mets might need a scary rotation to catch up to the division-favorite Atlanta Braves and an up-and-coming Miami Marlins side.

In that scenario, the Mets could bring Matz out of the bullpen if they don't find any takers.

The hope will be that his 2020 season was an aberration in an otherwise solid career. Either way, bringing Matz back—either as a trade asset or as pitching depth—made sense for the Mets.