Cardinals predicted to trade $44 million starter turned reliever

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most intriguing teams at the MLB trade deadline. With plenty of talent likely on the block, St. Louis could be looking at a lot of pieces being shipped out. But, they're also within contention of an NL Wild Card spot.

But, if they do decide to sell, according to MLB writer Thomas Harrigan, one of their most intriguing pieces to trade is starter-turned-reliever Steven Matz. The Cardinals have five pitchers who would draw trade interest, but Matz is one that Harrigan predicts as a possible trade piece.

Matz signed a big four-year, $44 million deal in free agency with the Cardinals. He signed as a starter and was so throughout his first three seasons. With Matz sitting at a 4.47 ERA, they decided to switch things up. 

"However," Harrigan writes, "he has found new life as a multi-inning reliever in 2025, posting a 2.66 ERA with a 1.89 FIP, 38 strikeouts and four walks over 40 2/3 innings."

His prolific numbers as a long reliever could likely make him one of the top arms on the market. With teams looking for starters, the next best thing is a reliever who can take multiple innings at a time.

In a world where starters are pitching fewer and fewer innings, having a multi-inning reliever is a huge part of a strong bullpen. While the Cardinals could be exploring a deal with Matz, there would not likely be a huge return coming their way.

He's a veteran on an expiring deal, with three out of four years not being great. But, if the Cardinals eat some of his contract, they could find a partner among many of the teams in the market for bullpen, or even starter help.

Other bigger-name pitchers from the Cardinals could be on the block, but Matz is one of the more intriguing names they could move on from. Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas are unlikely to be moved, while Erick Fedde and Ryan Helsley are the top targets on the team.

Matz, the fifth option among the Cardinals pitchers potentially on the trade market, could be one of the best additions a team could make at the deadline. His versatility as a starter-turned-reliever made Harrigan put Matz as his most intriguing trade piece from the Cardinals' roster.