"He left in free agency for the St. Louis Cardinals, and in the years since, he has converted to being a full-time reliever. This past season, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline, thriving in a low-leverage role as the Red Sox made the playoffs. Now, Matz appears determined to tour the entirety of the AL East. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Matz is joining the Tampa Bay Rays on a two-year contract in free agency."
"Fairbanks would be an excellent replacement for set-up man Seranthony Dominguez, and he could fill in if closer Jeff Hoffman struggles at any point in 2026 (he has 75 saves over the past three seasons with the Rays). Since 2023, Fairbanks has worked a 2.98 ERA and 3.31 FIP over 151.0 innings pitched. He throws hard, and as a soon-to-be 32-year-old, he shouldn't command a fortune on his next contract."
Steven Matz spent one season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, recording a 3.82 ERA and 3.79 FIP over 150 2/3 innings. He left for the St. Louis Cardinals and later converted to a full-time reliever. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the 2025 trade deadline and performed well in low-leverage roles as the Red Sox reached the playoffs. Matz agreed to a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, pending a physical. Tampa Bay's multi-year commitment to Matz could affect Toronto's pursuit of Pete Fairbanks. Fairbanks has posted a 2.98 ERA and 3.31 FIP across 151 innings since 2023 and remains an affordable, hard-throwing veteran option. The Rays could still pursue roster flexibility with Matz's role uncertain due to health considerations.
Read at Jays Journal
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