What five teams could take a chance on recently DFA’d Matt Harvey?
The Dark Knight’s reign in Gotham has come to a close. Turn off the bat signal. The New York Mets have designated former ace and first-round pick Matt Harvey for assignment after Harvey refused to go to AAA Las Vegas.
Harvey came up as a 23-year-old in 2012 and showed flashes of brilliance. He started the All-Star game in 2013 for the National League at Citi Field. He came back from Tommy John surgery in 2015 and was an integral part of the Mets as they won the National League Pennant. He tried to finish game five of the World Series, couldn’t slam the door, and from there it’s been struggles and recovery from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
After being a part of Page Six multiple times, including being AWOL twice during his Mets tenure, Matt Harvey’s time is done. This year he was 0-2 with an ERA of 7.00. He allowed 40 baserunners in 27 innings.
Harvey’s average fastball this year was 92.6. More than passable and velocity that you can get people out with. The problem is the movement on the fastball and all of his pitches. Per Brooks Baseball, the vertical movement on all of his pitches is the worst of his career.
Flat pitches plus low velocity equals not very good results. Harvey is going to have to work wherever he goes to reinvent himself a bit. If C.C. Sabathia can be successful at his age with softer soft, there’s no reason Matt Harvey can’t be.
So what teams could or should take a chance on the 29-year-old right-hander? Let’s take a look.