Red Sox make first trade before deadline, acquire veteran lefty who can start or relieve
Boston has bolstered its pitching staff by agreeing to a deal to acquire veteran left-hander Steven Matz from the Cardinals, a source confirmed late Wednesday night. The Red Sox are sending minor league infielder Blaze Jordan to St. Louis in the deal. No cash is changing hands.
An announcement is pending. The Red Sox will need to clear a 40-man spot to add Matz — and can simply transfer injured right-hander Hunter Dobbins to the 60-day injured list, if they so choose.
Matz, 34, has primarily pitched out of St. Louis' bullpen this season but has plenty of rotation experience over an 11-year career. The ex-Met has logged 55 innings for the Cardinals this season, posting a 3.44 ERA (and 2.88 FIP) while striking out 47 batters (and walking just nine) in 32 appearances (two starts). He appears ticketed for Boston's bullpen after appearing in short stints for the Cards in July but his starting ability likely made him even more attractive to the Red Sox, who could stretch him out late in the season if a need arises.
Matz opened the season as the long man in the Cardinals' bullpen due to the club's logjam of rotation options but made two April starts as part of a six-man rotation (on April 16 and April 30). He returned to the bullpen and, overall, logged a 1.91 ERA through May, before struggling in June when he pitched to a 7.30 ERA in a 12 ⅓ frames. July brought better results as Matz pitched in more high-leverage situations; he did allow two runs and three hits in an inning in his last outing Tuesday.
Matz has been tough on left-handed hitters this season, holding them to a .179 average and .442 OPS. Righties, however, have hit 313 off him with an OPS of .814. Those splits are similar to lefty specialist Justin Wilson, who has had a good season in Boston's bullpen.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is known to be looking help in both his rotation and bullpen ahead of Thursday's 6 p.m. ET deadline and for now, Matz will add another experienced arm ahead of closer Aroldis Chapman. Boston has been carrying four lefties — Chapman, Wilson, Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy — in recent weeks but Matz will likely take the place of one of them (potentially Bernardino, who has already pitched 47 times this season) when he arrives.
The Sox' search for rotation additions to put behind Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Walker Buehler continues with targets like Arizona's Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, Baltimore's Charlie Morton and controllable options like Miami's Sandy Alcantara and Minnesota's Joe Ryan remaining on the board in a slow-moving market. Matz hasn't thrown more than 24 pitches since the All-Star break, so he's not stretched out enough to replace Richard Fitts in the No. 5 spot now.
Matz is in the final year of the four-year, $44 million contract he signed with the Cardinals in November 2021. Back then, the Red Sox made a serious push to sign the former Rookie of the Year candidate who hit free agency after a strong season in Toronto. Matz's 2025 salary is $12 million, so the Red Sox will be on the hook for about $4 million in the season's final two months with no cash changing hands in the deal.
Jordan, a former high-profile prospect given a $1.75 million bonus to forego college as a third round pick (89th overall) in 2020, was often mentioned as a trade candidate in recent years as other position players in the organization passed him. The corner infielder posted a .928 OPS in 87 games at Double-A Portland this season before receiving a promotion to Triple-A Worcester in early June. With the WooSox, Jordan had hit .289 with six homers, 24 RBIs and an .809 OPS in 43 games.
Chaim Bloom was in charge of the Red Sox when they handed Jordan, a former YouTube sensation known as a home run-hitting prodigy, an above-slot bonus after taking Nick Yorke in the first round in the abbreviated 2020 draft. Now, five years later, as Bloom prepares to take over as St. Louis' president of baseball operations in place of John Mozeliak after the season, he is reunited with the Mississippi native.
In its most recent rankings, SoxProspects had Jordan ranked as the No. 19 prospect in Boston's system. He was Rule 5-eligible this winter, so the Red Sox got out ahead of a potential roster crunch by moving him now.
More Red Sox coverage
What we're hearing at the MLB trade deadline; all the moves, Red Sox rumors
Red Sox starter says having two young kids has cured day game woes: 'It's the reality of it'
Why Shohei Ohtani left Dodgers game mid at-bat with trainer
MLB trade rumors: NL contender acquires potential Red Sox trade target
Red Sox players have done their part; now, it's time for front office to do theirs | Sean McAdam
Read the original article on MassLive.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trade Gives Carlos Correa Long-Desired Position Change Twins Couldn't
The Minnesota Twins just completed the most shocking trade deadlines in franchise history. They traded a whopping 11 players in nine different deals. While there is legitimate talent they got back, it was also a sizable salary dump that can only make the Pohlad's grin. The most jarring move of the day, one initiated by the Houston Astros and Carlos Correa, sent the shortstop back home. Minnesota paid $33 million to get rid of him, and effectively got nothing in return. Correa though, got his wish, both on and off the field. He returns to an organization clearly willing to spend, and he's going to make a position change to facilitate it. Related Headlines Veteran Addition May be MN Vikings Secret Weapon Injured MN Vikings Stars on the Mend Veteran Starter Returns to Mound For MN Twins Hot corner for Carlos Correa as he leaves Minnesota Twins When Carlos Correa signed a free agent contract with the New York Mets, he was going to move to third base. Francisco Lindor was already on the roster, and the veteran knew that time would come anyways. After the deal got ripped up and he landed in Minnesota, shortstop was back on the table. The Twins have struggled to develop the next talent at short, and that had Correa playing the position at 30 years old and with bad feet. He'll move to a less demanding role with Houston and told The Athletic that has been the goal. 'I've been asking the Twins to play third base for the last two years. But it was not aligning because of how we were constructed. When (Twins general manager Derek Falvey) told me the Astros wanted me for third base, I was like, that would be perfect.' Carlos Correa – The Athletic Correa opened the door to the hot corner two-and-a-half years ago during free agency. That at least had to get the wheels in motion. As he's gone through injury since, especially to his lower body, it only has to have increased that desire. The Twins saw Correa play 135 games during the first season of his new contract. He did it playing through pain and it resulted in just a 94 OPS+. Last year he managed the issue better, owned a career-best 151 OPS+, and was named an All-Star. The downside is that he was available for only 86 contests. Related: Houston now gets a guy that hasn't had any foot issues this year, and can play alongside of a star shortstop that took over his position in the first place. Correa teams up with protege Jeremy Pena The only reason Houston opted to let Carlos Correa walk in the first place was because of the emergence of Jeremy Pena. A former third round pick, Pena reached the majors in 2022. He earned rookie of the year votes and immediately won a Gold Glove. Pena is returning from an injury now, but across 82 games this season he is hitting a career-best .322/.378/.489. Pena was named to his first All-Star Game, and is still playing Gold Glove level defense. Related: At 30 years old Correa can continue to mentor the 27-year-old. He'll get to do so standing next to him on the left side of the diamond. There was one place the former Twins shortstop was willing to go, and this represented the perfect fit. Related Headlines Veteran Addition May be MN Vikings Secret Weapon Injured MN Vikings Stars on the Mend Veteran Starter Returns to Mound For MN Twins
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Byron Buxton Lands Back on IL for MN Twins
With the trade deadline just days away, and Chris Paddack having been dealt Monday, the Minnesota Twins late lineup on Tuesday seemed like foreshadowing. There was no trade however, and instead they have lost All-Star centerfielder Byron Buxton to the injured list. Just over an hour and a half before playing game two of the series against Boston the news was announced. Minnesota walked off the Red Sox Monday night after giving up four runs and trailing 4-3. With Paddack sent to the Detroit Tigers, the Twins also needed to make a roster move for a new pitcher. It was reported that Pierson Ohl was on his way for a big league debut late in the evening. Related Headlines Vikings Front Seven Living Up to Hype Early Minnesota Twins Players Prepared for Inevitable MN Vikings O-Line Getting Healthy Fast Inflammation is Buxton's latest setback for Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton made a leaping catch at the wall in the series against Washington over the weekend. He exited the game and underwent an MRI, but it showed just rib cartilage irritation. Unfortunately that hasn't resolved itself and now he is headed back to the injured list for the second time this season. The Twins placement of Buxton on the injured list is retroactive to July 27. The hope would be that he misses the minimum and that allows he to be activated on August 6. Ryan Jeffers, who just had a baby, returns from the paternity list to take his place. It's unfortunate news for Buxton who has undergone a career's worth of injuries. Last season was just the second time in 11 big league seasons he has played more than 100 games (102). He wasn't going to reach the 140 he played in 2017 this year, but could blow by last season's total with a clean bill of health the rest of the way. Through 85 games the Twins superstar owns a .282/.343/.561 slash line with 23 home runs. He won't win the American League MVP over either Aaron Judge or Cal Raliegh, but his 3.9 fWAR should have him in the conversation. He has multi-million dollar contract incentives for finishing in the top ten of voting. Related: As a selling team it doesn't really matter what Buxton provides the team as an individual. He is a competitor though, and it's logical that he is chasing his own career-best numbers. If he can get back on the field by mid-next week, there is still reason to believe he can achieve them. Ohl and Jeffers to MN Twins active roster The move to add Pierson Ohl became official on Tuesday, but he didn't need to clear a 26-man roster spot with Chris Paddack departing. His capacity on the mound is unknown, but he has worked in a starting and bulk man role. Jeffers has been fine if not unspectacular this season. He owns a 105 OPS+ with a .254/.346/.399 slash line. The offense hasn't replicated the 133 OPS+ he posted in 2023, and the defensive remains something of a concern. He currently is the only Twins catcher in the plans for the future though. Related: Mickey Gasper was originally called up to replace Jeffers while he was on the paternity list. The utility man did get behind the plate briefly, but will now remain on the roster with Buxton heading to the injured list. He scored the game-winning run on Monday night after being hit by Red Sox reliever Jordan Hicks. Related Headlines Vikings Front Seven Living Up to Hype Early Minnesota Twins Players Prepared for Inevitable MN Vikings O-Line Getting Healthy Fast
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Byron Buxton Ends Trade Rumors; Says He's a Minnesota Twin for Life
The 2025 MLB Amateur Draft is complete, and 21 picks later, the Minnesota Twins have a fresh batch of prospects who will be introduced to the organization over the next month or so. While the Twins drafted some intriguing players over the last two days, none of them compare to the excitement surrounding an 18-year-old Byron Buxton, after Minnesota selected the Baxley, GA native No. 2 overall in 2012, infusing arguably the most talented and exciting prospect in franchise history, into the system. Minnesota Twins CF Byron Buxton dominating MLB Fast forward 13 years, to 2025, a 31-year-old Byron Buxton is an All-Star for the second time in his 11-year MLB career, after slashing .289/.351/.574 (.925 OPS) in 78 games played. Buck's 21 homers leads the Twins, and earned him a spot in his first ever MLB Home Run Derby. Related Headlines Former MN Vikings Pro Bowler Kicked Off Delta Flight After Emergency Landing Minnesota Twins Jersey Patch Sponsor Revealed What We Learned About MN Twins Top Pick Marek Houston – MSF Exclusive Byron Buxton also leads the MN Twins in bWAR (4.1), Runs (64), RBI (56) and Stolen Bases (17-of-17) this season. Oh and he's probably the best outfielder in Major League Baseball, defensively. Byron's which is why he holds the 6th highest bWAR in the league (4.1) and 3rd highest WPA (2.3). After the All-Star Game comes and goes Tuesday night, all eyes will shift to the MLB's July 31 trade deadline, where the 47-49 Minnesota Twins are yet to establish themselves as buyers or sellers. Thanks to one of the worst Junes in franchise history, MLB scouts have been showing up to Target Field in droves. But buying teams aren't calling Derek Falvey just to discuss the Twins' most available players (see below). They've also been checking in on guys that the Twins are much less willing to move, including top pitcher Joe Ryan and the aforementioned, Byron Buxton. Should that make Twins fans nervous? Not when it comes to Buck. During long-term contract talks between Byron and the Twins back in 2021-2022, he refused to sign without a full no-trade clause. Once the Twins included the no-trade, Buxton happily signed through at least 2028. Buxton commits to vetoing all trade attempts offered to MN Twins And now that he has control, Buck has absolutely no interest in leaving. When asked Monday, during All-Star media day, about recent trade rumors swirling nationally that involve him, Byron Buxton just smiled and politely closed the door on any and all deadline speculation involving now, and into the future. Not only did Buck commit to vetoing any deal that would land on his agent's desk in the next couple weeks, involving him, but the now 2x All-Star went as far as to call Minnesota his baseball home for life. Translation: Byron Buxton is here to stay and that's not changing as long as he has control. Reporter: 'The Twins are hovering around .500. The trade deadline coming. There are questions about whether you're a buyer or seller. Do you pay attention to those rumors?' Buxton: 'I mean, I see them, but they don't dictate what we got to do on the field to get ourselves right.' Reporter: 'Have you talked with any [Twins] higher ups about your own status and what they're thinking?' Buxton: 'About what?' Reporter: 'About whether you'll be traded, or whether you'll…' Buxton: 'I can't be traded. I gotta no-trade clause. I'm a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life. So that's the best feeling in the world, knowing I get to walk into a clubhouse and it's going to say 'Twins' for the rest of my life.' Reporter: 'So you won't waive it? You're staying in Minnesota?' Buxton: 'I'm a Twin. That's home.' Related: Some of the most obvious tradable assets on the Minnesota Twins roster, should they decide to sell, are expiring veterans like Chris Paddack and Christian Vazquez, along with younger guys who are running out of arbitration eligibility, like Willi Castro and Ryan Jeffers. It's even possible Derek Falvey & Co. pull a surprise move out of their back pocket. But I think one thing is for sure, on July 15, 2025, calling on Byron Buxton is not worth your time. Not as long as he holds control of where and when he gets moved. Healthy Byron Buxton finally able to fulfill expectations As he came up through the organization, 'Byron Buxton watch' became just as important for Twins fans as the success of the big league club, at the time. After surging through the system and gaining recognition as the No. 1 overall prospect in all of baseball, Buck's injury issues started to kick in. Unfortunately, the myriad of injuries he's dealt with, over the last decade, have dragged down Buxton's career trajectory. When healthy, however, Byron has proven himself to be every bit of the 5-tool player he was projected to be when the Minnesota Twins drafted him 13 years ago. Related: Now into his 30s, Byron Buxton's most recent knee surgery seems to finally have fixed the chronic issues that derailed the first half of his big league career (knock on wood). At 78 games played (of 96 possible – 81.25%) so far in 2025, Buck has already been in the Twins' lineup more often this season, than he was in all of 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2021. If he stays on the field at this same pace through the rest of the season, Buxton would finish with 132 games played. That would be good for second-most in his 11-year career, and the most since 2017, when he played 140 of 162 games. Related Headlines Former MN Vikings Pro Bowler Kicked Off Delta Flight After Emergency Landing Minnesota Twins Jersey Patch Sponsor Revealed What We Learned About MN Twins Top Pick Marek Houston – MSF Exclusive
