For the Red Sox, the assumption is that the trade they pulled off on Wednesday, about 20 hours before the passing of the MLB deadline for deals, is just the beginning. But certainly, Steven Matz of the Cardinals could well be an important piece for a team that needs help with long relief and, potentially, in the starting rotation.
Matz can do both, which is a big reason the Red Sox acquired him in a trade with the Cardinals.
At 34, Matz is in the midst of one of his best seasons as a big-leaguer, a career that has stretched back to 2015. He has done so almost exclusively as a reliever, with 30 of his 32 appearances coming out of the bullpen. He does have two starts on his resume this season, and critically for the Red Sox, both were excellent–he went 9.0 total innings and struck out 11, giving up one earned run and just 10 hits (no walks).
Red Sox Get Classic Swingman
The Red Sox are getting a classic swingman, a lefty who has gone more than an inning in 19 of his relief outings. For a Red Sox bullpen that has been a bit battered lately, he could be a salve–though he could also pick up some starts down the stretch for a rotation that has been similarly battered.
Matz was a starter for the bulk of his career, and looked like he would be a good one when he went 9-8 for the Mets in 2016, with a 3.40 ERA and a sixth-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting.
He has 172 career starts, going 55-59 with a 4.31 ERA. As a reliever, he has gone 5-3 in 53 games, with a 3.48 ERA. To make room for Matz, the Red Sox can move Hunter Dobbins, out of the year with a torn ACL, to the 60-day injured list.
Blaze Jordan Sent to St. Louis
The get Matz, the Red Sox give up Triple-A first baseman Blaze Jordan, the well-named prospect who has been a fun minor league player throughout his career. Jordan came into pro ball with high expectations, and though he is not the slugger many thought he would be, has hit .291 with a .351 OBP and a .462 slugging mark in five years in the minors.
Rather than a masher, Jordan has become a very good contact hitter who rarely strikes out.
MLB pipeline noted of Jordan, who was promoted from Double-A Portland this season:
“A legendary power hitter as an amateur, Jordan won his first competition at age 11, notched a pair of 500-foot blasts when he was 13 and prevailed at the High School Home Run Derby at the 2019 All-Star Game. After reclassifying from the 2021 Draft, he went in the third round in 2020 and signed for an over-slot $1.75 million.
“He has made more contact and provided less pop than expected, but he was enjoying his best pro season in 2025 when the Red Sox traded him to the Cardinals at the Deadline for Steven Matz in a one-for-one swap.”
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