Report: Mets interested in reunion with Matz
The New York Mets are eyeing a former member in free agency.
New York is interested in signing left-hander Steven Matz, whom it traded to the Toronto Blue Jays last winter, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Matz, a Long Island native, spent his first six seasons in Flushing, helping the Mets to a pair of playoff berths and the 2015 National League pennant. He turned in a couple of solid seasons as a workhorse in the back end of the rotation but also struggled mightily at times, including during the pandemic-shortened campaign.
The Mets dealt him to Toronto for three players last winter, then watched as he authored a solid bounce-back campaign in the AL East. Matz posted a 3.82 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 144 strikeouts over 29 starts for the Blue Jays, his best showing since 2016.
New York faces stiff competition in its quest to repatriate Matz. The Blue Jays want to re-sign him, as well, and reportedly made the 30-year-old a multi-year offer. Other teams reportedly interested in him include the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.
The Mets are trying to rebuild their rotation this winter behind ace Jacob deGrom. While Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker are returning, they've already lost Noah Syndergaard to the Los Angeles Angels, while fellow free agent Marcus Stroman could also depart.