Kim Klement USATODAY Sports
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has reported that the Baltimore Orioles are open to trading Brian Matusz, and the New York Post reported earlier this week that the New York Mets have been scouting the left-hander recently. Rosenthal went a little further, suggesting the Orioles are willing to include cash in a trade to make Matusz’s $3.2 million salary for 2015 and one more year of arbitration eligibility easier for an acquiring team to consider taking on.
Matusz has become a prominent part of Baltimore’s bullpen over the last two seasons, with more than 60 appearances each season, and he had a 3.48 ERA and a career-best 9.2 K/9 rate over 63 appearances (51.2 innings) in 2014. That said, the Orioles have other left-handed bullpen options (Wesley Wright, T.J. McFarland, Tim Berry) available to them, and they may have a serious relief pitcher logjam coming as spring training winds down.
Being a southpaw automatically gives Matusz solid trade value, and the Orioles should be able to at least get a mid-tier prospect from someone if they seriously want to move him. As of Wednesday morning he was still listed as the starter for Friday’s spring training game against the Boston Red Sox, but if that changes between now and then speculation that Matusz will be traded is sure to ramp up.
Exactly what the Orioles would try to get in return is unclear, but Matusz may be considered somewhat expendable and general manager Dan Duquette would be in a position of strength during any trade talks right now.
It won’t be the end of the world if the Orioles can’t find the right trade for Matusz, even with his slightly inflated salary for this year. But if a team that needs relief help calls Duquette with a proverbial “offer he can’t refuse”, I expect a deal to be made before Opening Day.
Brad Berreman is a Columnist/Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
