The pre-Thanksgiving free agent rush has arrived. Aaron Loup signed with the Angels and Anthony DeSclafani returned to the Giants on Monday. Alex Wood may soon follow DeSclafani back to San Francisco, and more signings are inevitable prior to Thursday. Now here are Tuesday’s hot stove rumors.
Eight teams in on Matz
Free agent left-hander Steven Matz is expected to make a decision prior to Thanksgiving, reports the New York Post‘s Joel Sherman. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman says eight teams are in on the southpaw: Angels, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, Mets, Red Sox and Tigers. The Mets are among the teams to make Matz an offer, reports MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
Matz, 30, began his career with the Mets and had a fine 2021 season with the Blue Jays, throwing 150 2/3 innings with a 3.82 ERA. He has averaged 30 starts with a league average ERA in the last three 162-game seasons. A three-year deal in the $30 million to $40 million range, similar to DeSclafani’s new contract with the Giants, could be in the cards. Our R.J. Anderson ranked Matz the No. 30 available free agent this offseason.
O’s dangling Means
The Orioles are dangling left-hander John Means in trade talks, reports ESPN’s Buster Olney. It should be noted every team gauges the market for all their players this time of year, and listening on Means does not necessarily mean Baltimore is intent on moving him. He is under team control through 2024 and is projected to make about $3 million through arbitration in 2022.
Means, 28, has been the O’s best starter the last three seasons and it hasn’t been particularly close either. He missed more than a month with a shoulder injury this past season, though he finished with a 3.62 ERA in 146 2/3 innings in a division with four 90-win teams. Means has significant trade value as an above-average starter with three years of control. That said, he is the rare Orioles player who could part of their next contending team. Keeping him would be justifiable.
