MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players Astros should acquire

Matt Harvey, RHP, Mets

Given his well-publicized recent suspension, there has been plenty of speculation that Mets starter Matt Harvey could be on his way out of New York. A change of scenery and a fresh start with a new club, might be a good thing for Harvey – especially if it takes him away from the bright lights (and tabloids) of the city that never sleeps. The Mets might also feel getting rid of Harvey could be addition by subtraction in terms of improving the clubhouse culture.

Therefore, the Astros could potentially swoop in and trade for a pitcher that started the All-Star Game and finished fourth in the Cy Young voting a few years ago for a relatively cheap price due to harm done to Harvey’s reputation, and the baggage in addition to the injury concerns that come with him. There’s also the fact that Harvey hasn’t pitched well over the last two seasons.

This year, Harvey has a 5.56 ERA and 6.41 FIP in 45.1 innings across eight starts. His strikeout rate has fallen from 27.7 percent in 2013 to 24.9 percent in 2015 (he missed 2014 due to Tommy John), to 18.9 percent last season (he made just 18 starts because of thoracic outlet syndrome) to 15.4 percent so far this year. Still, from 2012-15, he was 25-18 with a 2.53 ERA and 1.000 WHIP with 449 strikeouts in 427 innings, and there’s a chance he could reclaim (something close to) that level of effectiveness.

The primary reason to include Matt Harvey here instead of someone like Rays ace Chris Archer, who might be available for the right price, or an even cheaper option that has pitched better this year, (Trevor Cahill perhaps), is the discount the Astros could conceivably get on him, and the possible upside that could come with a change of scenery. He is also under team control through 2018, which helps.