Steven

Matz

The deal is now official. The intriguing wrinkle for fantasy purposes is that the Rays appear poised to deploy Matz as a traditional starter next season. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw operated exclusively in relief for the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season, compiling a 3.05 ERA — 3.46 FIP — and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings over 53 appearances. There’s some late-round appeal in deeper mixed leagues if he winds up making Tampa Bay’s season-opening rotation.

Ghiroli is the first with the exact financial terms of the deal after multiple reports surfaced that the two sides were in agreement on a two-year pact. It’s a bit unclear how Tampa Bay will deploy Matz since he was used exclusively as a reliever this past season with the Cardinals and Red Sox where he posted a respectable 3.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings over 53 appearances. He’s been vocal about his desire to transition back to a starting role and it’s possible the Rays were willing to accommodate that request. There should be some clarity regarding his role once spring training kicks off.

Matz fortifies Tampa Bay’s relief depth after compiling a strong 3.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings over 53 appearances between the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season. The 34-year-old southpaw has excelled since transitioning to a full-time relief role but his fantasy appeal is virtually non-existent since he’s mostly toiling away in middle relief. The Rays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee strategy next season with Edwin Uceta, Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger sharing the role.

Aroldis Chapman had the day off after throwing 24 pitches last night. Matz gave up a leadoff double to Dylan Carlson today, but Carlson was erased trying to take third on Alex Jackson’s grounder up the middle, and the threat died from there. Matz has allowed just one run in 11 1/3 innings since joining the Red Sox.

The Red Sox had to use Aroldis Chapman on back-to-back nights because Isaiah Campbell was unable to close out a 7-2 lead on Saturday, so the closer was unavailable on Sunday. That proved to be huge as Weissert was used against the bottom of the Marlins order and quickly gave up a solo home run to Dane Myers and then a wingle to Eric Wagaman before Steven Matz came in and gave up a two-run home run to lose them the game.

At 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA and a 47/9 K/BB in 55 innings, Matz has been a great surprise in relief for the Cardinals after disappointing in the first three seasons of his four-year, $44 million contract. The Red Sox figure to give him a lot of work in the sixth and seventh innings of close games, so he might earn enough wins to be of use in AL-only leagues.

Passan adds that first base prospect Blaze Jordan is heading to the Cardinals in the deal. Matz provides the Red Sox an immediate upgrade in the back-end of their rotation if they opt to stretch him out as a traditional starter. However, he could also factor into high-leverage spots down the home stretch. The 34-year-old southpaw has worked primarily in relief for St. Louis this season, posting a strong 3.44 ERA and 47/9 K/BB ratio across 55 innings in 32 appearances. He’s set to reach free agency this winter.

Matz was impressive again working as a starter. He last started a game two weeks ago and similarly worked his way to around 70 pitches, then he hopped back in the bullpen for a couple appearances, and filled in nicely here when the Cardinals needed an extra starter for their double-header. He had great command of his changeup against a right-handed heavy Reds’ lineup and forced 12 total swings-and-misses. While he’s thrived in this swing-man role, he would become at least mildly interesting if he returned to the rotation full-time.

Matz made a brief relief appearance on Saturday against the Brewers and will rejoin St. Louis’ rotation in the middle of next week. The 33-year-old lefty has occupied more of a versatile swingman-type role this season, which doesn’t translate to much fantasy value, if at all.

Matz will be available in relief over the next couple days against Atlanta. The Cardinals have an off day on Thursday that enables them to shuffle things around. The expectation is that Matz will re-join the rotation next weekend, likely against the division-rival Brewers.