Not every veteran on this Cardinals roster will be easy to move.
The 2024 offseason promises to be a pivotal one for the St. Louis Cardinals. Rather than focusing on significant acquisitions to contend in 2025, the organization has made it clear they will prioritize giving younger players more opportunities. Winning won’t carry the usual emphasis during this transition.
This shift not only signals the likely departure of older players such as Paul Goldschmidt, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson in free agency but also puts several contracted veterans on the trading block. While not all may be traded, they will be available for potential deals.
Among the names circulating in trade discussions are Nolan Arenado, who has been heavily linked to trade rumors, and Ryan Helsley, who could be one of the top relievers on the market. Even Sonny Gray, despite having a full no-trade clause, could be moved. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (subscription required) added Steven Matz to the list of potential trade candidates, noting the team expects interest in both Helsley and Matz.
Matz, a 10-year MLB veteran, fits the profile of a player the Cardinals might want to trade. With limited long-term value to the team, swapping him for younger talent seems ideal. However, moving Matz may prove challenging due to his current circumstances.
Steven Matz joins long list of Cardinals on trade block, but he’ll be harder to move than others
When the Cardinals gave Steven Matz a four-year deal ahead of the 2022 campaign, they expected him to be a reliable back-end starter. Unfortunately, as his 4.47 ERA in 52 appearances (37 starts) would suggest, Matz has been mostly unreliable in his first three years with the Cardinals. Not only has he struggled to produce on the field, but he has missed substantial time due to injuries.
Unfortunately, injuries are nothing new for Matz. He has made more than 22 starts just three times in his 10 MLB seasons. He’s had some strong years and even pitched well for much of the 2023 campaign before an injury ended his season prematurely.
Last season, Steven Matz made only 12 appearances (seven starts), posting a 5.08 ERA over 44.1 innings. A back injury sidelined him for most of the year, and he struggled in the limited time he did pitch.
Considering Matz’s injury history and inconsistency, the Cardinals face a challenge in gauging his trade value. At 33 years old and owed $12.5 million, the return for Matz would likely be modest.
Starting pitching is highly valued in today’s market, and Matz has shown he can be a reliable No. 4 or No. 5 starter when healthy. However, his contract could deter teams, especially given his underwhelming performance with the Cardinals.
The Cardinals might find a trade partner if they’re willing to absorb a portion of Matz’s salary. Whether the team is open to that remains to be seen. Without such a concession, moving Matz could prove difficult.
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