Cardinals' Matz talks free agency: No deal was done with Mets
Steven Matz said he didn't have an agreement to join the New York Mets in free agency before ultimately signing a multi-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in November.
"There were no deals done or anything," Matz said, according to Tim Healey of Newsday. "(Steve Cohen) is a passionate owner. You gotta respect that. But it is what it is. I don't love drama. It's not my personality. I don't love it. I was really excited to come to this organization. That overshadowed it for me."
The Mets were upset with Matz's agent for misleading them about the free agent's intentions after the club was told New York was the left-hander's first choice.
Cohen tweeted out his frustrations when the Mets were reportedly denied an opportunity to match the four-year, $44-million pact Matz agreed to with the Cardinals.
Matz, who's from Long Island, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Mets after the club selected him in the second round of the 2009 draft.
The Mets and Cardinals met Monday for the first time since the offseason drama. Matz is scheduled to pitch Wednesday to end the three-game series.