809
The Cardinals have signed free agent pitcher Steven Matz to a 4-year $44 million deal with incentives that could earn him an additional $4 million, pending a physical.
He was 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts last season for the Blue Jays. I would bet those numbers improve next season because of his high ground ball rate with the gold glove defense behind him. In 2021, he got a groundball 45.5% of the time, and in his career Matz has a 47.5% groundball rate.
He chose the Cardinals after having offers from eight teams (Giants, Red Sox, Blue Jays (who he said was the best team he has ever been on), Tigers, Cubs, Cardinals, Angels, and Mets who drafted him and he’s from New York)
As of right now the 2022 rotation looks like Flaherty, Waino, Matz, Hudson, and Mikolas… though if history tells us anything, we know that should be written in pencil. Knock on wood.
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
