Steven Matz is gearing up for a battle to secure a spot in the Rays' starting rotation! On Tuesday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Rays officially wrapped up a two-year contract worth $15 million with veteran pitcher Steven Matz. Although Matz primarily played as a reliever for most of his 53 outings last season, he will now have the opportunity to compete for a starting position during Spring Training.
Erik Neander, the president of baseball operations, shared insights with Marc Topkin from The Tampa Bay Times, stating, "There’s a genuine desire on his part to try starting again. Despite his success as a reliever last year, we believe he still possesses the capability to excel as a starter. So, we’re going to allow him the chance to prepare for that role and aim to solidify a spot in our rotation."
Matz, who initially signed as a starting pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals during the offseason before the 2021-2022 season, has faced numerous challenges, particularly injuries, throughout his tenure. In each of the first three years of his four-year deal with the Cardinals, he encountered various physical setbacks, including a shoulder impingement and knee sprain in 2022, a lat strain that sidelined him in the following season, and persistent back issues in 2024. These difficulties led to inconsistent performances, causing him to transition into a relief role. Over his three and a half seasons with the Cardinals, Matz managed just 35 starts compared to 48 appearances out of the bullpen. Despite this, he recorded a 4.68 ERA, showcasing decent strikeout (22.6%) and walk (6.4%) rates while pitching as a starter. After being traded to the Red Sox at last summer's deadline, he was utilized mainly in short relief situations.
Earlier in his career, the 34-year-old Matz demonstrated his capabilities as a reliable starter, consistently logging over 150 innings in each full season from 2018 to 2021. During that period, he maintained an average of around four earned runs per nine innings, performing at a level comparable to league standards. Notably, Matz still exhibits strong command of his pitches, and his pitching style has remained largely unchanged, even when adapting to shorter outings. His primary weapon is a 94 MPH sinker, complemented by a curveball and a changeup, the latter of which he predominantly uses against right-handed hitters. Over the last four seasons, right-handed batters have posted a .276/.322/.446 batting line against him, while Matz has effectively limited left-handed opponents to a .225/.280/.339 average.
Currently, Matz is projected to be the fifth starter in a rotation that includes Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiot, Shane McClanahan, and Shane Baz. However, this projection is far from certain. While Rasmussen is regarded as a top-tier starter, he has a history of injuries. McClanahan has been absent from major league play for two seasons. Additionally, both Pepiot and Baz have been subjects of trade discussions, with Pepiot linked to a potential blockbuster involving Ketel Marte, whereas Baz’s inconsistency may make him more likely to be traded for a change of scenery. It's also possible that the Rays may look to acquire another starting pitcher through trades or free agency, and if they don't make any further moves, second-year left-handed pitcher Ian Seymour would emerge as Matz’s primary competitor for a rotation spot.
What do you think about Matz's prospects for reclaiming a starting role? Will the Rays' rotation hold steady, or are we likely to see changes before the season begins? Share your thoughts!
