When word came down Wednesday night that the Mets dumped Steven Matz on the Blue Jays for three pitching prospects, the first thought that came to the minds of many was, “they are clearing salary space for Trevor Bauer.” That was my first thought, too, and I think it will almost certainly happen.
But before we get to that, let’s talk about the trade. Dare I say, this was a stroke of genius on Sandy Alderson’s part. Here was a guy who by all rights should have been non-tendered after an atrocious 2020, but Alderson decided to hold onto him.