The New York Yankees are exploring their options to improve a rotation that’s been hit with key injuries. One of those options could be making a trade with their cross-town rivals.

According to The New York Post, the Yankees have contacted the New York Mets about Steven Matz’s availability. The Yankees have reportedly scouted Matz at spring training. Nothing is imminent with Opening Day for the 2020 MLB season still several weeks ago.

Even when the two New York teams are linked in trade rumors, a deal between the Yankees and Mets is usually considered unlikely. The Yankees reportedly had a serious interest in acquiring Noah Syndergaard last year, but the Mets held onto the right-hander.

A deal sending Matz to the Bronx could make sense for both sides.

Matz is competing for a spot in the Mets rotation. Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman are guaranteed to make up 60% of the team’s starters. Offseason additions Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha could force Matz to become part of the Mets’ bullpen.

Luis Severino is done for the season with Tommy John Surgery, and James Paxton will miss at least the first month because of back surgery. That leaves Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka as the Yankees’ only reliable starters. J.A. Happ is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, and Jordan Montgomery has made eight appearances in the last two seasons.

The Yankees’ fifth rotation spot is up for grabs among multiple unproven starters.

Matz went 11-10 with a 4.21 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and 153 strikeouts in 160.1 innings last year. The left-hander had a 3.97 ERA in 154 innings during the 2018 season.

Matz has a 4.05 ERA in 549 career innings. He made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2015.

Steven Matz
In this picture, Steven Matz #32 of the Mets reacts after allowing a hit to Tanner Roark #57 of the Washington Nationals (not pictured) during the first inning at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on July 31, 2018. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
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