MLB trade rumors: Yankees looking at Reds' Matt Harvey? Don't bet on it

by Felix Pantaleón

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, 2018 (7/31/18). Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching. Don’t expect him to make a run at former Mets ace Matt Harvey, who’s resurrected his career with the Cincinnati Reds.

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When the New York Mets designated former ace Matt Harvey for assignment in May, rumors spread that the Yankees could have interest in the Dark Knight.

However, that rumor was quickly put to rest, per NJ Advance Media’s Brendan Kuty:

“Don’t bet on it,” a source with knowledge of the team’s personnel decisions told NJ Advance Media on Friday afternoon.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.

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The Mets ended up shipping Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco.

At the time of the trade, Harvey was lost on the mound. He was 0-2 in eight games, including four starts, with an ERA of 7.00.

His fastball had no life and Harvey, once the team ace, looked like a shell of his former self.

In 2015, when the Mets went to the World Series, Harvey was 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA.

Since then, injuries on the mound and distractions off the mound sent Harvey into a tailspin, leading to his trade.

But Harvey has resurrected himself in Cincinnati, going 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 10 starts. With the Reds 11 games under .500 and stuck in the National League Central cellar, speculation is growing Cincinnati could flip Harvey to a contender.

So the Yankees have a second bite at the apple, so to speak. It’s no secret general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for a pitcher. But don’t expect Harvey to return to New York, per Fancred’s Jon Heyman:

Yanks loved Harvey at one point (who didn’t?) and he’s pitching well again. But he’s not high on their starting pitcher list now due to what was termed a “potential circus” (just meaning the media frenzy that would come with the ex Met star)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 3, 2018

The Yankees have been linked to several starting pitchers on the trade market, including Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ, Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer and Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer.

The Yankees will get an up-close look at Happ on Saturday, when he gets the start opposing Yankees ace Luis Severino, who will be going for his MLB-best 14th win of the season.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.