The Yankees are scrambling for pitching solutions following Gerrit Cole’s season-ending Tommy John surgery, and an unexpected name has surfaced as a possible trade target: former New York Mets top prospect Steven Matz.
Matz, currently with the St. Louis Cardinals, hasn’t performed to expectations since leaving New York, making him a surprising candidate.
Joel Sherman, a New York Post columnist, highlighted this possibility on the Pinstripe Post podcast.
“He’s been a good lefty out of the bullpen,” Sherman explained on the Pinstripe Post podcast. “The day Luis Gil returns or you trade for someone else, Matz goes to the bullpen, and suddenly you have some depth.”
Matz, 33, is entering the final year of his contract in 2025, owed $12.5 million. It’s a significant salary for a pitcher who could end up in relief. Yet Sherman’s argument points to Matz’s versatility: even if he initially fills a rotation spot, his proven success as a left-handed reliever offers valuable flexibility once the rotation regains health.
There’s reason for caution, however.
Matz has always battled injuries and inconsistency, limiting his value as a starter. Yet the Yankees might still gamble on his untapped upside, betting on their coaching staff’s ability to unlock potential. Pitching coach Matt Blake, known for revitalizing pitchers’ careers, has helped similar talents rediscover form in New York.
The Yankees are in a tough spot, with Cole out for the year and Luis Gil likely out until after the All-Star break with a lat strain.
Sherman noted on the Pinstripe Post, “He’s been a good lefty out of the bullpen. So the day (Luis) Gil returns or you trade for someone else, Matz goes to the bullpen, and you have some depth.”
The Yankees would be betting on Matz’s potential to thrive under Blake’s guidance, similar to how the club successfully turned around other struggling arms. If the Yankees see value beyond just an emergency starter, trading for Matz makes sense.
