Boston Red Sox Acquire Starting Pitcher Steven Matz From St. Louis Cardinals
The Boston Red Sox are no strangers to dramatic moves near the trade deadline, and they have done it again by snagging Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. For a fan base constantly teetering between hope and despair, this trade signals Boston’s latest attempt to fortify its bullpen in the thick of a tight Wild Card race. But is Matz the hero they need, or just another mediocre acquisition? Let’s dig in.
Why Steven Matz? Meet Boston’s New Left-Handed Weapon
At 34, Matz is your classic “just good enough to spark debate” kind of player. The Red Sox did not bring him in to be the ace everyone fantasizes about over beers at Fenway, but he is a solid left-hander with some versatility. Matz has spent most of 2025 coming out of the bullpen, where he boasts a respectable 3.44 ERA across 55 innings. Boston fans are desperate for silver linings: lefties are hitting a paltry .179 against him.
Red Sox management has already hinted that Matz will stick to a bullpen role, adding another arm to a relief corps that’s been one of the few steady points in an otherwise turbulent season. He is no Shohei Ohtani, but for a team that is looking to tighten the screws on close games, Matz could be a key piece.
The Price of Pitching: Blaze Jordan Packs His Bags
To get Matz, Boston sent Blaze Jordan, a power-hitting first baseman, to St. Louis. Jordan, 22, has been climbing the ranks in the minors this season, slashing .304 with 12 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A. Jordan’s potential is undeniable, but Boston has enough questions right now without waiting on his bat to develop further. Plus, with Chaim Bloom now part of the Cardinals’ front office (yes, the same Bloom who drafted Jordan in 2020), maybe this trade is more about his familiarity with the kid than any glaring Red Sox misstep.
Redemption Arc?
Matz’s career has been, let’s say, colorful. He debuted with the New York Mets back in 2015, pitching in the postseason, including the World Series. After frustratingly inconsistent years in New York, he found short-lived success with Toronto, going 14-7 in 2021. But his three seasons with the Cardinals have been rough. Injuries, a transition out of the starting rotation, and subpar numbers left many wondering if he could recapture his form.
Fast forward to 2025, and it seems like Matz has turned a corner. His hybrid role has allowed him to thrive in shorter stints, and Boston is betting that his improved health and experience in high-pressure situations will translate under the bright lights of Fenway. Plus, he’s got AL East experience on his résumé from his days with the Blue Jays.
What’s Next for Boston?
The Red Sox sit at 59-51, hanging in contention for the final Wild Card spot. While offense has been on-and-off like Boston weather, the bullpen has held its ground. Adding Matz could solidify their late-inning options and give Manager Alex Cora more flexibility in critical matchups. With Matz’s ability to silence left-handed hitters, he becomes an automatic weapon against some of the league’s best lefty bats.
But does the trade truly fix Boston’s bigger issue? Their lack of starting rotation depth is still glaring, and while Matz has starting experience, the team seems intent on keeping him in relief. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has hinted at acquiring starting pitching before the deadline, but time is ticking. Without reinforcements for their rotation, it’s hard to see Boston making a deep playoff push.
Final Thoughts: A Risk Worth Taking?
This move is not flashy, but it gets the job done. Matz is not a game-changer, but he is not supposed to be. He is insurance for a bullpen that’s been leaning heavily on a few key arms. Losing Blaze Jordan adds an element of risk for the future, and it is guaranteed to fuel some “what could have been” conversations down the line. But for a team focused on making a playoff run right now, this is a calculated gamble.
Boston is doubling down on its bullpen strengths while crossing its fingers that the rotation stops being a liability. Will Matz be the difference-maker in Boston’s playoff hopes? Only time will tell.
