This season marked a major transition for former New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz. A starter for most of his career, the lefty found himself demoted to a bullpen role as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals as soon as year one of his four-year deal he signed. The Cardinals didn’t get much from him in his first three seasons. Matz was often hurt or ineffective. Sometimes, it was both.
St. Louis hardly used him as a starter this year. Just a pair of starts and another 30 relief appearances, Matz managed to put himself on the trade deadline radar in part because of an expiring contract but also due to his success.