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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Mets should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 12: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets pitches in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 12, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 12: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets pitches in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 12, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 02: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets pitches in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on June 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 02: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets pitches in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on June 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Trade Matt Harvey to the Reds

Most MLB trade deadline deals involve a buyer and a seller, a postseason contender and a rebuilding franchise. However, there’s also a chance for teams to swap a player that needs a change of scenery. Last year, the Yankees shipped Ivan Nova to Pittsburgh, and the move paid off for the 30-year-old right-hander, who hadn’t had an ERA under 4.90 since 2013 but has a 3.07 ERA in 172.2 innings with the Pirates.

Matt Harvey is such a candidate this season. Though he probably wouldn’t bring back the type of prospects Mets fans would wish for given his injury history (including a shoulder injury expected to sideline him into August), and New York tabloid lifestyle, Harvey could use a fresh start elsewhere. Cincinnati, which is far from the bright lights of the Big Apple and is in desperate need of starting pitching, could be a perfect fit.

The Reds have the worst pitching staff ERA in baseball (5.24). Cincinnati starters have a 6.16 ERA, which is by far the worst in the majors. With the best defense in the big leagues, a solid core lineup anchored by Joey Votto, and a bullpen with some intriguing parts (and a middle-of-the-pack 4.11 ERA in relief), the Reds are one or two starters away from becoming a legitimate threat in the NL Central.

Next: MLB Trade Deadline: 5 moves the Cubs should make

A healthy Harvey could solidify the Cincinnati staff. Though he’s posted a 5.02 ERA in 30 starts over the past two seasons, Harvey was 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA and 188 strikeouts and 189.1 innings in 2015. He’s just 28 years old, and has one more year of arbitration before entering free agency in 2019.

Finishing up the 2017 season strong, and putting together a good performance in 2018 for a potential playoff team would be a huge boost for Harvey in a contract year. And, if the Mets could secure a couple of impact prospects, as well as an MLB player like Devin Mesoraco or Jose Peraza, it could be a win-win.

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