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.
New York Yankees
This would be a nice trolling move for the fan base, especially if the New York Yankees can help Matt Harvey get back to what he was. The Yankees do have some need for some depth at starting pitcher. Jordan Montgomery is out 6-8 weeks at least. Sonny Gray hasn’t been what the Yankees thought they were getting. CC Sabathia has been solid but has already been on the Disabled List. Plus he would provide some veteran leadership to help Harvey.
The Yankees leave no stone unturned for talent, especially when talent comes at the league minimum for a team looking to stay under the luxury tax. Harvey grew up a Yankees fan, so that could help him live a lifelong dream.
Of course, there is this;
"Don't bet on it," a source says regarding a possible #Yankees-Matt Harvey future: https://t.co/XF9djtHbKR
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) May 4, 2018
Still, if Harvey is willing to go to AAA for a little while to try and figure things out, I think it’s possible.
Off to Cali?
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres have a good relationship with Matt Harvey’s agent Scott Boras. The Padres have a need in their rotation as well. Rookie Joey Lucchesi has been solid. Tyson Ross has looked good as well. The rest of the rotation? Clayton Richard and Bryan Mitchell have ERA’s over six. Luis Perdomo is in El Paso.
The Padres find themselves in last place, and they do have a spot in their rotation. They can send Eric Lauer back to AAA for Harvey and give him a chance. If Harvey can find himself out in San Diego, maybe he turns into a trade piece later on in the year.
If Matt Harvey likes it out in San Diego and he pitches well, maybe that’s a spot for Harvey to stay at when he hits free agency again at the end of the year and be a piece moving forward.
Plus, San Diego isn’t a bad place to live, right?
Texas Rangers
Matt Harvey is a huge New York Rangers fan, but the Texas Rangers may be another good landing spot for him. Martin Perez is hurt. Matt Moore has an ERA over seven. Bartolo Colon and Doug Fister are older, and the Rangers top pitching prospects are further down in the minors.
The Rangers also have Harvey’s old pitching coach in Dan Warthen, who is currently the assistant pitching coach. Maybe reuniting can help get Matt Harvey back on track.
Like San Diego, Texas is currently in last place in the American League West. Like Harvey, Cole Hamels will be a free agent at the end of the year, and outside of Mike Minor, the entire rotation could be a free agent.
Texas will have a ton of payroll flexibility next year, and if Harvey does well, maybe he becomes a piece moving forward for them as they look to enter a new ballpark.
A KC Masterpiece
Kansas City Royals
Matt Harvey’s opponent in the 2015 World Series, the Kansas City Royals, could be another option. Like Harvey, the Royals aren’t what they used to be back in 2015 as they find themselves in the basement of the American League Central.
Besides the fact that a chunk of their position player core has moved on, their super bullpen is just Kelvin Herrera; their rotation isn’t great either. Danny Duffy has struggled. Ian Kennedy is what he is. Jason Hammel is what he is. Jakob Junis is still a young pitcher, learning at the major league level.
Adding Harvey into the mix with Salvador Perez behind the plate and some veteran starters in a new environment could be just what he needs to get back on track. Maybe even in a smaller market compared to that of New York.
An Angelic rebirth with the Los Angeles Angels?
The Los Angeles Angels are a team that needs some pitching depth. They have already used nine different starting pitchers this season. J.C. Ramirez is out for the year. Matt Shoemaker is injured. Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, and Andrew Heaney all have injury questions. Shohei Ohtani is attempting to be a two-way player.
Matt Harvey could be a fit for a team that has stability and a ton of veterans in the locker room like Albert Pujols. I don’t think being in another big market will impact Harvey. It didn’t when he was throwing 97 MPH, and all was right with the world.
Next: Are the Braves for real?
For Matt Harvey, this represents a new lease on life. A chance to reinvent himself and still make a ton of money and have a career. Any of these five could work for him. He needs to go somewhere where he can pitch every fifth day no matter what.
In the end, I could see him the most with the San Diego Padres or a situation like that. A place where he can rebuild his arm, his confidence and his state of mind. Matt Harvey can still have a quality career.