Sources close to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News tell her that the Mets have talked to “at least two teams” about trading former All-Star Matt Harvey this winter. This seems to be part of a larger strategy that Ackert describes as “dipping into their strength of starting pitchers to address their needs heading into the 2018 season.”
One of Ackert’s sources says that the Mets want to “flip Harvey for a reliever”, and are more interested in moving him than fellow Amazin starters Robert Gsellman or Seth Lugo. The report aligns with quotes from GM Sandy Alderson, who told reporters that no player on the roster is untouchable (though in contradiction, the organization has seemingly made it clear that starters Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard are not on the table).
The thought of trading the right-handed Harvey for a relief pitcher would have seemed ludicrous as recently as 2015. After missing the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery, Harvey seemingly made a full recovery; he pitched to a sparkling 2.71 ERA across 189 1/3 innings, including a fantastic month of August during which he allowed just one earned run spanning four starts. His performance helped the Mets to a 90-72 record en route to their first NL East pennant since 2006.
Unfortunately, Harvey’s numbers plummeted steeply in 2016. The one-time ace experienced a slight drop in velocity (along with some terrible batted ball fortune), which led to a 4-10 record and a 4.86 ERA prior to season-ending surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. His velocity and strikeout rate dropped off even further in 2017, leading to horrific peripherals: 6.51 K/9, 4.56 BB/9, and a 6.39 FIP that ranked third-worst among pitchers who started at least 15 games.
The Dark Knight’s fall from grace has been widely publicized. His trade value, of course, is at an all-time low; Harvey performed at nearly a full win below replacement level last season, carries significant injury risk, and projects to earn a $5.9MM salary in his final year of arbitration. Though he carries significant upside, it’s fair to wonder how likely Harvey is to revert back to his 2015 form. After failing to reach 100 innings in each of the past two seasons, teams are likely to be skeptical over Harvey’s bounce-back potential.
Still, it’s not difficult to imagine an MLB club taking a flyer on Harvey at the price of an “impact reliever.” The Yankees and Brewers, for example, seem to have reasonable bullpen depth and a need in the rotation; either of them could feasibly flip a relief arm for the chance to play roulette with the former six-WAR player. It’s also important to note that the Mets’ wish list isn’t limited to bullpen help. The club is also looking to add a second baseman, along with a part-time first baseman or outfielder (link).
While Harvey has performed poorly in recent years, it’s worth noting that he’ll enter the 2018 season at just under 29 years of age. Regardless of whether he’s traded or not, his storyline headed into 2018 will be captivating and suspenseful.
dynamite drop in monty
Harvey to Sox for Joe Kelly
xabial
Trade him for the first pick of the Rule-5 draft. 😛
Wannabekillerb
Who would want him? He’s had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. His career is likely over.
Red Ivy
Matt Harvey for a cardboard cut out of Pablo Sandoval
hojostache
The cardboard cutout would still move better than Panda.
surefirewinners
How about Joe Kelly and Brock Holt for for Harvey? The money matches up ($5.6MM vs $5.9MM), the Mets get two (potentially) valuable pieces and the Sox take a flyer on a bounce back candidate.
Brock Holt needs a change of scenery and the Sox have several candidates to fill his role (Tzu-Wei Lin, Deven Marrero, Josh Rutledge, Marco Hernandez).
With a possible suspension of Steven Wright (charged with DA over the weekend) and the fact that ERod might not be ready until June, Harvey would be a low cost, buy low acquisition.
corey5kersh22
Harvey for Pedro Baez and a lotto ticket prospect
drock2722
Perfect lol
macka
I would do that in a heartbeat. Both guys need fresh starts. I’m not saying it would work. Who knows.
MrMet19
I’m down
mikeyank55
Don’t be down MR.
Wilpon duo will authorize a trade for a nothing prospect as long as it is to the Dodgers.
“This way we can both still root for Matt, since we love the Dodgers” boasted Jeff Wilpon.
sam 17
Adam Warren for Harvey
bonquisha
Cody allen for harvey
Marc Downs
An injured starting pitcher that has been good at sometime, I smell Jerry Dipoto sending Nick Vincent to The Mets.
Segovia3047
I had the exact same idea. Harvey screams Dipoto.
Marc Downs
He can’t help himself. He would rather pick up 12 fringe relievers off the waiver wire and pick up a broken pitcher instead of signing a legit starter. Of course I can’t quit The Mariners so if he does this it will be the best trade ever. I only do this to myself.
Phillies2017
I don’t know if this was him or Jack Z, but once upon a time, Nick Vincent was a fringe reliever picked up off the waiver wire.
Lots of em turn out very solid- might as well take a shot when there’s no risk.
Segovia3047
It was Dipoto and we actually traded a PTBNL for Vincent but he does love his fringe waiver claims.
mikeyank55
I hope that he is traded and becomes comeback player of the year. Now that news conference will be well attended as he reveals all of the stuff that happens in smelly Citifield.
bastros88
citifield is great if you love the smell of failure and sausage with peppers
delete
Oh boy here come the Mariners fans again! It was quiet there for a few days after Shohei picked the Angels and then Stanton went to the Yankees
Marc Downs
I know of no Mariners fans saying lets get Stanton. This is the kind of trade our GM would make. He likes to try and find pitchers that had a few good years and hope for a bounce back. Matt Harvey hasn’t been good since 2015 so if he ends up on the Mariners it isn’t like they are getting an ace or a two. They are getting a four at best. This a flier trade not a franchise altering one.
Segovia3047
I haven’t seen a single Mariners Fan who was saying we’d get Stanton or JD Martinez. The closest to that is that we’d should go after Yu Darvish but no one’s penciling him to our rotation.
Matt Harvey is simply a typical Jerry Dipoto low risk bounce back candidate.
Nicksysgsgsgg
He was never good
hojostache
“Good at sometimes”…? He was a top of the rotation breakout star who got ahead of himself and imploded, likely due to a mix of on the field and off the field problems. “Good at sometimes” was a guy who got hot for two months a few years ago. Harvey has plummeted, but he was formerly a rising star.
nickbolts
Harvey for Brad brach, makes sense in both cases. Orioles NEED starting pitching and have plenty of relief help to deal away and not much of a farm system
Rwm102600
They can’t get more for Brach then someone who could very well end up being Ubaldo Jimenez 2.0
Pops
Or Harvey for Trumbo. Mets needs a guy to share 1B and play a little outfield. And Trumbos numbers are great only when he plays on the field. When he DH He very bad. Trumbo needs a NL team. Orioles desperately need SP.
Kslaw
Why not throw in Chris Davis too? Lol. O’s are stuck with that horrible Trumbo contract.
johnnygringo
ha ha ha and have the birds throw in 50 million
floridapinstripes
I’ve seen some Mets fans think they can get Clint Frazier for him. lol
Boy I needed that laugh.
iamhector24
Actually I’ve heard Yankees fans say they’d trade Batances for him.
yanks02026
Betances is worth more then harvey, so those fans are crazy
bastros88
they are both similar in a way, both walk a ton of people, and have a meltdown during the 2nd half
srechter
Can anyone think of a good comp to Harvey’s career trajectory? Such weird circumstances. That great year after the surgery makes him decidedly different than a Mark Prior type, who never made it back. It really will be interesting to see what pitcher he turns in to if he doesn’t completely fizzle out.
Marc Downs
He is a weird case and odds against him.
ndiamond2017
I was thinking Rich Harden, maybe. Although he was a bit more of a fireballer with less control.
srechter
That’s actually not far off in terms of when injuries occurred and at what ages they experienced success. Feels like forever since Harden was playing. Always rooted for him.
22222pete
Yeah, basically any pitcher with Thoracic Outlet Syndome is toast unless caught very early before surgery.. Harvey is burnt toast. Way to go Mets.
reflect
There is no comp. other TOS guys were like 40 when they did the surgery.
He should theoretically be good again if there was no permanent shoulder damage. But that’s a big if.
firstbleed
Alex Cobb? He is about to get life changing money on the FA market after having TJ and TOS.
Nicksysgsgsgg
Harvey was garbage right away in 2016 before injury he has no ability
bucketbrew35
Although not a starter, Mike Adams. He was a shut down reliever until thoracic outlet surgery and then he was never the same again.
Weighed
Johan Santana.
John Nobles
Padres? Hand for Harvey, Prospect, Internation Money ?
Toadwart
I was thinking maybe the Cardinals could trade for him for one of the surplus of outfielders. Price shouldn’t be much of a risk.
DeltaPlus3
Angels need to do something to contend with the mighty Astros.
Go get him Eppler.
soggycereal
they already have a flux of SPs already with ohtani richards shoemaker bridwell ramirez meyer etc… they don’t need another one
22222pete
Harveys damaged goods. His injury for many pitchers is career ending or limiting. Worth a flyer but not if you have to give up anything. Mets have just ruined their young pitchers. Disgraceful. No young pitcher should ever sign with the Mets organization
majorflaw
“No young pitcher should ever sign with the Mets organization.”
So what would you suggest young pitchers do when drafted by the Mets, sit out a year and go through the draft again? Doubt that approach will catch on.
Kayrall
I’ve thought about this type of situation before, being a pitcher drafted by the Mets or drafted by the Marlins in general, or a pitcher in Colorado, etc. I figured the best thing to do is just do everything you possibly can on your own to improve and enhance stamina durability regardless of what your development coaches say.
mikeyank55
Hey Kay—the situation is different with the Mets and the other clubs.
If you are a young talent you hire Scott Boras and tell him, “Sir, please let the Mets know that I will report however my workout regimen and workload will be managed by you not them. Please refer me to a trainer and doctor so give me conservative approaches and limits so that this cheapskate owned team doesn’t ruin my career.
That’s all.
Phillies2017
I could very well see Toronto try for him. While I loved the Diaz trade for them, they have made a few moves like this recently.
I see Jerry’s moves as more “need based swaps of high minors guys or major leaguers” as opposed to, “let’s go get this guy who was good, and hasnt been but he’s cheap so screw it.”
Vizquel13
Harvey isn’t bring back Brad Hand, Cody Allen or any other elite level bullpen arm. He is damaged goods and I believe he is a free agent after this season. I would give the Mets Zack McCallister for him and that is a gift.
realgone2
So much for all that not trading him talk
nodukes
seems like the perfect John Daniels move
phantomofdb
Why not just try Harvey as a reliever
padam
Exactly my thought as well…
hojostache
I’ve been saying that for over a year. He needs to do something different because what he has tried hasn’t worked.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
The problem with Harvey is that is he’s just as damaged (or more) mentally as he is physically.
reflect
Team willing to trade bad player. Confirms all good players are not available.
soxfan01
Harvey to White Sox for Nate Jones
johnnygringo
why not wait till he is DFAd and sign him for leaque minimum?
sportsjunkie24
He looks like a perfect fit for the orioles trade britton and have new york add in some prospects
luckiest4
i know it’s a pipedream… but kahnle + ellsbury (50% salary)? just need to get ellsbury off the books but, yeah that no trade clause is toxic and he won’t waive it for the mets… ok, you can now go back to your regularly scheduled programs.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
The entire mets rotation is a high risk no reward. That’s like trading for David Wright
hojostache
Absolutely. Syndergaard and deGrom have no upside. There isn’t a team in the majors who would take either. They might as well call KBO or maybe a lower-level team in Japan….
Nicksysgsgsgg
mets were 35 games over 500 from 2015 through 26 without Harvey so no he didn’t help them in 2015 mets were 20 games over 500 without Harvey with a worse team in 2016
adshadbolt
Trade him and a prospect to Pittsburgh for Harrison. Or if they wanted to make a big deal. Harvey,Rosario, Dunn and Nimmo for Harrison, rivero, tucker and cutch. Rosario is the only guy coming from the Mets with any value.
bharri
Mets lost to the Cards in ’06 right? I believe their last pennant was actually 2000 prior to 2015.
bleacherbum
The Mets need a second baseman as well, the Padres have a couple and need the pitching. Harvey is better than a lot of internal options right now. Solarte or Spangenberg straight up for Harvey would help both organizations.
angelsfan4life
Jim Johnson and CJ Cron for Harvey
jasonpen
I’m sure the Cubs would be willing to part with Justin Wilson…