Mets Owner Calls Out Steven Matz's Agent After Pitcher Signs Contract With Cardinals

The New York Mets were unsuccessful in their bid to reacquire Steven Matz, and the team’s owner isn’t too happy about it. Steve Cohen called out the pitcher’s agent on Twitter Wednesday after it was reported that Matz agreed to a four-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The four-year contract is worth $44 million. Matz could make up to $48 million in the deal and will be paid a signing bonus, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported. Had Matz contacted the Mets before signing with the Cardinals, New York would’ve been willing to give the left-hander a similar deal.

“I’m not happy this morning. I’ve never seen such unprofessional behavior exhibited by a player’s agent. I guess words and promises don’t matter,” Cohen tweeted, indicating that he was told New York would’ve had the chance to match Matz’s best offer.

Matz’s contract includes a $2 million signing bonus and $1 million a year in incentives based on innings pitched, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. The Mets, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays all pursued Matz in free agency.

The Mets traded Matz to the Blue Jays before the start of the 2021 MLB season in exchange for three pitchers. Matz had a bounce-back season in his one year with Toronto, going 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 150.2 innings.

From 2015-2020, Matz posted a 4.35 ERA with the Mets. New York had high hopes for the starter, who had a promising start to his career with a 3.16 ERA in 28 starts during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Matz was wildly inconsistent over the next four years, culminating with a 9.68 ERA in 30.2 innings in 2020.

The Mets selected Matz in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

New York faces major questions about its rotation this offseason. Noah Syndergaard turned down the Mets’ qualifying offer and signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Marcus Stroman, New York’s leading pitcher in 2021, is still a free agent.