Cincinnati Reds: Matt Harvey is peaking as the trade deadline approaches

Matt Harvey pitched a gem for the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. Harvey’s latest outing was another opportunity for him to showcase his talents for a team willing to trade for his services.

Matt Harvey pitched a gem for the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers, as the Reds split the series with the Brewers 2-2. Harvey’s latest outing was another opportunity for him to showcase his talents for a team willing to trade for his services.

Harvey got his 3rd consecutive win of the season. In all 3 starts, Harvey’s gone at least 5 innings deep. He pitched 6 innings on June 21st against the Cubs, 6.2 against the Braves on June 26th, and just today he threw 5.2 shutout innings against the Brewers. Harvey could have gone further in the game, but a weather delay necessitated him leaving.

During that same 3-game stretch, Harvey has walked only 2 batters and struck out 14. Harvey has not allowed a single home run since June 8th. To give you an idea of how well he pitched in today’s game, the Brewers never even got a runner past first base until Harvey exited the game.

What does all this mean for the Reds going forward?

Matt Harvey is catching fire at the right time. When the Reds traded away Devin Mesoraco for Harvey, there was likely little, intent of keeping the right-hander long-term. After all, Harvey becomes a free agent at season’s end, and with the Reds still rebuilding, Harvey does not fit into the team’s future plans for the starting rotation.

Harvey was brought to Cincinnati in hopes of reestablishing himself of a solid starting pitcher, capable of being a nice addition to a contending team at the non-waiver trade deadline. Guess what Reds fans? He’s doing just that.

What can the Reds expect to get in return from a trade?

Cincinnati gave up very little to acquire Matt Harvey. Devin Mesoraco was no longer the everyday catcher, had struggled with injuries throughout his career, and is a free agent at the end of the 2018 season. His career in Cincinnati was eerily similar to that of Harvey in New York.

It’s anyone’s guess what Cincinnati can fetch in return for Harvey’s services, but if he continues to put up numbers like he did on Sunday against the Brewers, the asking price will continue to do nothing but climb.

Next: Can Michael Lorenzen play the outfield?

The MLB trade deadline is just around the corner, and rumors will start flying fast and furious in the coming weeks. Harvey’s name is sure to be linked to some of those rumors, and hopefully, the Reds are able to land some nice additions as the deadline approaches.