Lefty pitcher Steven Matz and the Rays have a multiyear deal in place for the former Met to head to Florida, The Post's Jon Heyman confirmed.

The deal is possibly a two-year contract and is pending a physical, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reported.

Matz has pitched parts of 11 seasons in the majors with time spent with the Mets, Blue Jays, Cardinals and Red Sox. The Long Island native began his career in Queens, spending six seasons with the Mets, and posted a 60-62 record over the course of his time in the MLB.

Last season, Matz was used in a number of roles by the Cards and Red Sox, which included the left-hander getting a pair of saves for the first time iin his MLB career.

The Polar Bear is driving south to Orlando for the Winter Meetings, as The Post reported Monday, and among the teams he's likely to meet with are the Red Sox, according to multiple reports.

Alonso is also expected to be pursued by the Orioles.

Boston has a need for a big-hitting first baseman, after Rafael Devers was shipped out in a drama-filled debacle last season. Alonso certainly has the bat to fill the BoSox's void.

The biggest question around the slugger, though, remains the Mets, the team that drafted and developed him, and remains the only franchise he's played for -- so far. On Monday, Amazin's president of baseball operations David Stearns called Alonso a "priority," but doesn't seem to have the first baseman on his punch list for the week, as they already know one another.

It's shaping up to be a long winter.

The Yankees manager spoke at the Winter Meetings on Monday, and while he admitted he hasn't done any recruiting of the Bellinger or any other free agent -- "They know who we are. They know what we're about" -- he'd still like to have him back in the outfield at Yankee Stadium.

"Who wouldn't want a player like that?" he told reporters. "He's earned the right now to get to this point of his career with free agency"

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Mets hosted a video meeting with Michael King, The Post has learned.

These are not uncommon, and King had video meetings with more than just the Mets, but this exemplifies a level of seriousness between the parties.

King comes with a variety of elements appealing to the Mets. David Stearns wants to avoid mega-long contracts with starters in their 30s and King, who turns 31 in May, is expected to eventually sign a three- or four-year pact.

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Brandon Nimmo’s departure has presented the Mets with another possibility that was previously less appealing: adding a power lefty bat.

Along those lines, team executives have shown interest in Kyle Schwarber, according to industry sources, potentially giving the lineup an unrivaled 1-2 lefty punch, along with Juan Soto.

Schwarber, 32, finished second in the National League MVP voting after blasting 56 homers last season for the Phillies. Schwarber would fit primarily if the Mets move on from Pete Alonso, who, if he returns to the Mets, will likely have to play much of his next contract as the DH.

Schwarber has reportedly received a four-year deal from the Pirates worth at least $100 million. The Middletown, Ohio, native has also been linked to the Reds.

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Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith is reporting that the Blue Jays are interested in Robert Suarez.

Toronto, coming off a World Series loss to the Dodgers, is apparently not afraid to shuffle things up in hopes of winning it all.

Suarez is thought to the the second-best reliever on the market to Edwin Diaz.

The Mets are indeed looking for starting pitching but it may come with a caveat.

They prefer short-term deals for starters rather than ponying up term. A recent meeting with Framber Valdez is interesting and would suggest one of two things.

Either Valdez may be interested in a short-term deal or the Mets could be willing to be flexible for him.

Alonso will take the 90-minute drive to central Florida on Tuesday, according to sources, to meet in person with interested suitors that include the Red Sox and Orioles.

It is unclear if Alonso will meet with Mets officials during his visit.

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The Orioles have a glaring weakness: starting pitching.

That's where Jon Heyman's link to Ranger Suarez makes perfect sense. Suarez had been effective for the Phillies going 38-29 with a 3.59 ERA over the past four seasons.

It seems unlikely the Phillies would be able to offer Suarez a new contract with other priorities like Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto.

This one seems a bit farfetched but the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal is reporting star shortstop CJ Abrams is available in addition to MacKenzie Gore.

Gore's name has frequently been mentioned in Nationals' rumors but Abrams is a new addition.

It's fair to suggest that the return price would be quite high if Washington parts with its young budding shortstop.

One of the intriguing names coming over from the Japanese league is righthander Tatsuya Imai, who had 178 K's this season.

The Post's Jon Heyman is hearing the Cubs to be an interested party in Imai's services.