The Toronto Blue Jays seem to have a big focus on pitchers this off-season and it looks like they are interested in one of their former pitcher in free agency.
The Blue Jays and GM Ross Atkins have made it clear that one of their biggest focuses this off-season will be to bring in pitchers through free agency or trades.
Blue Jays interested in their former pitcher Steven Matz
Steven Matz played for the Blue Jays back in 2021 when he was traded here from the New York Mets and actually put up some decent numbers as he finished with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts with a 14-7 record and 144 strike outs.
When Matz was with the Blue Jays in 2021, he posted a 3.82 ERA across 29 starts, producing a 2.2 WAR in the process. He also earned 14 wins, tying Hyun Jin Ryu for the most on the team that season, before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals that following winter. -Spagnuolo
The Blue Jays have in the past brought back former players and it has worked out great just as it did in 2015 when they brought back J.A. Happ which is why this move could be a real possibility.
After the 2015 season, the Blue Jays reunited with another former left-handed pitcher, J.A. Happ, who went on to win 20 games and finish sixth in Cy Young voting. While no one is suggesting Matz would replicate that kind of season-especially since he’s now likely to serve as a bullpen arm-a reunion wouldn’t be entirely out of the question. -Spagnuolo
Matz transitioned to a relief pitcher over the last year and has been putting up solid numbers coming out of the bullpen especially after he was traded to Boston as he 2.08 ERA in 21.2 innings pitched and 12 strikeouts for the Red Sox.
After joining Boston, he excelled out of the bullpen, posting a 2.01 ERA in 21 relief appearances for the Red Sox. -Spagnuolo
While the Blue Jays are mainly focused on a starting pitcher, their bullpen could surely use some help as it was their weakest area in the playoff but if they were to bring in Matz or someone else, they would likely have to trade a pitcher.
