Reds rumors: Matt Harvey and Raisel Iglesias drawing interest

More Reds rumors are starting to swirl, as starting pitcher Matt Harvey and closer Raisel Iglesias are now part of the conversation.

Reds rumors regarding potential trades are coming hot and heavy. According to Fancred’s Jon Heyman, the Washington Nationals are apparently interested in both Matt Harvey and Raisel Iglesias.

The Nationals are currently a .500 team with a record of 42-42. It’s kind of surprising, given where expectations were before the season kicked off. A lot of the Nationals’ problems are a product of injuries.

Stephen Strasburg is on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. The three-time All-Star and the former first overall pick is expected back around the All-Star break. Former Cy Young Award-winner Max Scherzer, however, is tearing it up this season. Scherzer, the 5-time All-Star is carrying a 2.16 ERA thus far this season.

Raisel Iglesias as a starter?

According to the report, multiple teams view Raisel Iglesias as a starting pitcher. The reason the Reds moved Iglesias to the bullpen in the first place was due to concerns over his shoulder. Iglesias missed time during his first two seasons at the Major League level due to injury.

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While Iglesias has electric stuff, the idea of moving one of the best closers in baseball into the starting rotation is a very odd concept, especially at this point in the season. As was mentioned in a previous post, the Reds could get a nice haul if Iglesias is part of a trade due to his contract.

Matt Harvey in trade talks

This was to be expected. Matt Harvey’s name is likely to come up even more often in Reds rumors the closer we get to the trade deadline. That will be especially true if the right-hander keeps dealing the way he has been of late.

The thought all along was that the Reds were looking to see if they could squeeze some good performances out of Harvey before the deadline, and then flip him to a contending team for another prospect.

Harvey has been dynamite on the mound of late. Over his last three starts, Harvey has pitched 18.1 innings, struck out 14 batters and has a 1.47 ERA. He’s also allowed zero round-trippers during that time period.

Next: Reds rumors: Iglesias on the Astros' radar

Get used to more Reds rumors as we inch closer and closer to the MLB trade deadline at the end of the month. Harvey and Iglesias are two very likely candidates to be wearing different uniforms before August 1st, but only time will tell. We’re just getting started.