Fansided

5 teams who should take a chance on Matt Harvey

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citi Field on April 3, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citi Field on April 3, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Which MLB teams should consider taking a flier on Matt Harvey after the New York Mets designate him for assignment?

The writing seemed to be on the wall after a demotion to the bullpen and a disastrous appearance this week against the Atlanta Braves. Matt Harvey was not long for the big leagues with the New York Mets. Now, after refusing another demotion — this time to the minor leagues — the New York Mets have elected to waive their former ace and All-Star.

Harvey has not looked the same since the end of the 2015 World Series. His fastball velocity is way down, his pitches are all over the strike zone (if they even find it), and his slider has lost all of its bite. Harvey’s ERA has been around six since he began developing shoulder issues and went under the knife for surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome. Few pitchers have ever come back to match their prime form after this procedure.

There were times in Spring Training where Harvey looked to be putting things together, but his situation with the Mets just became untenable after he continued to struggle and clashed with management. Harvey has always enjoyed a certain amount of nightlife, but the act wears thin when the results on the mound aren’t there.

This is not the end of the road for Matt Harvey in the big leagues. Someone will take a shot on him, either via trade or after he clears waivers and is released. When that does happen, these five teams look like solid landing spots for him as he looks to revive his flagging career.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Having already caught lightning in a bottle with outfielder Corey Dickerson after he was designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays, the Pittsburgh Pirates should take another crack at the waiver-wire lottery with Matt Harvey. With “pitcher whisperer” Ray Searage sitting in the dugout, Pittsburgh could be a magical landing spot for Harvey as he attempts to get himself back on track.

Searage has helped get the best out of Francisco Liriano, A.J. Burnett, Ivan Nova, Edinson Volquez and many others during his long career. His specialty has been reclamation projects like Harvey. The Pirates are off to a surprising start after trading away Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen over the offseason, but they are not a playoff contender. For now, they should give Chad Kuhl or Steven Brault and see if Searage can figure Harvey out. For a team with limited financial resources, this is an opportunity to good to pass up.

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