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Red Sox Make a Very Sneaky Trade to Bolster Their Bullpen

The Boston Red Sox acquire LHP Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals.
ByJacob Levine|
Jul 4, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) stands in the dugout during the eighth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Jul 4, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) stands in the dugout during the eighth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Over the past few days, the Boston Red Sox have long been desiring pitching help, especially in that starting rotation. Many names are still on the market, including Dylan Cease, Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Luis Severino, and many more.

However, the bullpen pitchers have been the first to go, and it's been the hot commodity this deadline, as expected. Many teams need bullpen help, as Ryan Helsley was dealt to the New York Mets, and the Twins' star closer Jhoan Duran was sent to Philadelphia yesterday.

Now, the Red Sox have made their move.

Red Sox Trade for Cardinals Pitcher Steven Matz

The Red Sox started things off with a more low-key and sneaky buy. St. Louis Cardinals' LHP Steven Matz is heading to Boston in exchange for 1B/3B and #17 prospect Blaze Jordan. It was a weird approach, with many mixed reactions with Breslow giving up Blaze Jordan, but here's the problem.

Steven Matz was a former starter for the New York Mets, where he posted a 4.35 ERA with 552 strikeouts, with an 8.6 K/9. Then, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, where he had an amazing season, going 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA with 144 strikeouts, but entered free agency following that season.

In 2022, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as a starter, but was quickly changed to a reliever in 2024 due to regression. However, as a reliever, he has posted a 3.44 ERA this season, with 47 strikeouts, and a 121 ERA+. He's not the best name, but he could be a steal for Boston if everything plays out right.

With Matz in the bullpen, he complements a good bullpen with Jorge Alcala, Jordan Hicks, Justin Wilson, Greg Weissert, Brennan Bernardino, Garrett Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman, and with Justin Slaten possibly returning for the playoff push.

For Steven Matz, he's the prototypical Andrew Bailey pitcher, as he's only got breaking balls for his four pitches (sinker, curveball, changeup, and slider). He's the typical long relief guy that the Red Sox could benefit from, and he's a veteran postseason presence in the locker room. He checks those two boxes, and hopefully, things will work out with him. If not, he's a free agent at the end of the season.

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