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The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that will send left-handed reliever Steven Matz to Bean Town, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The second deal of the day for the Cardinals nets them first baseman Blaze Jordan, the Red Sox’s No. 17-ranked prospect.
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Matz, a former top prospect for the Mets, has battled injuries for much of his career. Eventually, the Cardinals moved him to the bullpen where he has been effective. The left-hander has posted a solid line with a 3.44 ERA and a 5.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Matz will slot into the Red Sox bullpen and give them a left-hander who can be extended or work high-leverage situations against left-handed bats. The lefty also started two games for the Cardinals this season, and if the Red Sox find themselves in a pinch, could throw him out to buy their rotation an extra day of rest.
The Cardinals’ return is nothing to scoff at either. Jordan was highly touted for his power at the plate, something that the Cardinals have been lacking in a hitter recently. Jordan has an ETA of this season on MLB Pipeline, but this could now be delayed as he packs his bags and heads to join the St. Louis organization.
Another reliever domino has fallen, and there has been no movement from the Pittsburgh Pirates about David Bednar, but they should jump in quickly and capitalize on an inflated relief market this season.
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