Article by Chris Saunders
The relationship between
the Mets and Matt Harvey has soured recently, as the two sides engaged in a
very public battle over the starting pitcher's innings limits during the end of
2015 regular season. Although Harvey has brought up the fact of a possible contract
extension, very few players under Super agent Scott Boras have ended up doing
so prior to said players free agency. With that being said, one such player
Angels right handed pitcher Jered Weaver signed a long term deal prior to his
free agency period. When you combine all that, along with the popular belief
that the Mets will not be able to afford to sign him once he hits free agency,
leads some to speculate that the Mets would look to trade Harvey this coming
offseason.
Jon Heyman touched on the
topic prior to 2015 season ending, saying that someone with the Mets suggested
that they do expect calls on Harvey, but "would not discount him one
iota." Nor should they and will they! Harvey is incredibly valuable: He is
one of the best pitchers in baseball and is under team control for three more
years. That low cost for an ace would be attractive to other teams as well.
While he is due for a raise this offseason via arbitration, he will still make
far less than what he could get on the open market.
Harvey has also
established that he is healthy. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, he has
fared about as well as could be expected. Despite a few rough patches during
the season, he has been excellent overall, sporting a 2.88 ERA and a 3.29 x
FIP (Fielding independent pitching.)
Beyond Harvey, the Mets
have a strong stable of starting pitching with Jacob DeGrom going from an
unheralded prospect to superstar almost overnight. Behind him, product of RA
Dicky trade couple season ago Noah Syndergaard looked great in his debut season
at the major league level, posting a 3.31 ERA and 3.39 FIP, and in a much
smaller sample. After the big two you have Steven Matz whom was healthy towards
latter part of 2015 season and impressed as well. The wild card for Mets is the
return of Zack Wheeler whom had TJ surgery and missed all of 2015 season. He is
expected to return at some point in 2016 along with the ever aging bartolo
Colon rounding out the rotation.
If the Mets do look
to trade Harvey once the season is over, it shouldn't be soly based on being
sick of dealing with Matt Harvey the person. It should be because trading him
can help the team, and because their pitching depth can help mitigate his loss.
While they would surely miss Harvey, the Mets could trade him and still have a
strong starting rotation for several years.
When you considering
his immense value, the conversation shifts to the potential return he could
command. Let’s assume that Harvey is
made available for free agency after 2018 season. When you look at what other
top scale pitching received this offseason alone other David Price (seven years 217 Mill), Zack
Greinke(32 Mill Annually) it’s only telling what
Harvey could receive once it’s all said and done. That’s why when you
combine Harvey's salary will be far cheaper for what an “Ace” is making in
today’s market perhaps the Mets could take advantage of that and acquire
someone to fill a position of need, such as shortstop. Pete Abraham of the
Boston Globe suggested a package headlined by Xander Bogaerts, but in any case
the Mets would probably need to be bowled over to consider making a deal.
If something can’t
get done for Bogaerts why not use Harvey to get someone impactful in return for
example How about Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, whom need starting
pitching BADLY! What about Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain? He is a free
agent after 2018 season and is a TRUE centerfielder compared to Cespedes who
only has the bat not the tools. Just spitballing ideas; but it does leave one
to ponder.
All things considered, if
a good player is being dangled, there is no reason the Mets should not at least
listen to offers for Harvey. If trading him makes the team demonstrably better,
then they should do it, and if nothing materializes, they can sit back and let
Harvey pitch for another three years before worrying about losing him.
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