Free agent starter Steven Matz isn't joining the Cubs, but he's coming to the NL Central.
Matz has agreed to a four-year deal with the Cardinals, pending a physical, per multiple reports. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the deal is worth $44 million and could be worth up to $48 million in incentives.
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The Cubs need to add a lot of pitching this winter and were among eight teams with reported interest in Matz, who's coming off a bounce-back 2021 with the Blue Jays — going 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts.
Matz joins a talented St. Louis team that made the postseason in 2021 and is expected to be a top contender for the division title in 2022, alongside the Brewers. He rounds out a St. Louis rotation featuring Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Dakota Hudson and Miles Mikolas.
Matz is the latest starter to come off the board ahead of a possible lockout next week, some of whom made sense as potential Cubs targets. The Giants re-signed Anthony DeSclafani, are nearing a reunion with Alex Wood and are reportedly close to a deal with Alex Cobb.
The Cubs rotation currently has Kyle Hendricks and Wade Miley, whom the Cubs claimed off waivers earlier this month, penciled in, and Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay, Alec Mills and Keegan Thompson as other in-house options.
