Oakland Athletics may have next bargain with Matt Harvey

The Oakland Athletics may have once again found a diamond in the rough, as Matt Harvey had a promising debut in AAA on Saturday.

Over the years, the Oakland Athletics have gained a reputation for finding diamonds in the rough. Given their payroll constraints, the A’s have needed to scour the waiver wire and the bottom of the free agent market, looking for those underappreciated players that could make an impact on the roster. Sometimes, these bargains work out; other times, they don’t – but the important part is that the A’s do not need to worry about being on the hook for an exorbitant salary should that move not work out.

The latest of these moves is already showing promise. The A’s had signed Matt Harvey to a minor league contract last week, a low cost signing that raised some eyebrows. In his first outing in the A’s organization, Harvey showed that Oakland may have found another bargain.

That outing is certainly a departure from the Harvey that pitched this season. He was part of the Angels offseason moves, signing a one year deal worth $11 million with the hope that he would help led Los Angeles back to the postseason.

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Instead, he was a disaster. Harvey was one of the worst pitchers in the game, posting a 7.09 ERA and a 1.542 WHiP over his 59.2 innings. He did not fool anyone, striking out just 39 batters while issuing 29 walks and 13 homers on the season.

Obviously, this is just one start in AAA. And yet, it is enough to give the A’s hope. Las Vegas has been an offensive haven this season, even with the ball flying out of the park around AAA. For Harvey to be able to throw those four shutout innings without a walk, and to keep the ball in the park, is an encouraging sign.

Should those performances continue, it would not be a surprise if Harvey found himself as a part of the A’s pitching staff down the stretch. Oakland has managed to get by despite a rotation riddled by injuries and the suspension of Frankie Montas, but they are in need of another dependable arm. Harvey, for a one month trial, could help stabilize the back of the A’s rotation.

The Oakland Athletics may have found another bargain with Matt Harvey. It may be just one minor league start, but the A’s have to be encouraged by his performance on Saturday.