Reds trade rumors: Matt Harvey talks ongoing with division rival

The latest round of Reds trade rumors surrounding Matt Harvey has the right-hander headed to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The latest round of Reds trade rumors surrounding Matt Harvey has the right-hander headed to the Milwaukee Brewers. Jon Morosi of MLB Network says that Cincinnati is having ongoing with the division-rival Brewers in regards to a trade for Harvey.

It’s no surprise that the Matt Harvey sweepstakes are heating up, even with his struggles during his last start for Cincinnati. Harvey only survived 3.2 innings last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Harvey was knocked around for 8 earned runs on 8 hits, including 4 home runs.

In Harvey’s defense, the Pirates had been rolling of late and scored 16 runs in the opening 2 games of their series against the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians following their series with Cincinnati. In the previous 5 starts before Sunday’s debacle, Harvey had been dynamite. The veteran went 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA and allowed 0 home runs while striking out 23 batters.

While some Reds fans may question the thought of trading a pitcher like Harvey within the division, remember that he is a free agent at the end of the season. Regardless of the team that Harvey is traded to, you’d have to assume that with baseball super-agent Scott Boras representing him, Harvey is going to test the free agent market during the offseason.

Another factor that makes this potential deal a real possibility is the injury to Milwaukee’s starting pitcher Brent Suter. The 6’5″ lefty injured his elbow recently and is expected to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Harvey would be a solid replacement for Suter in the Brewers’ rotation.

Taking a peek at the  Brewers farm system, the Reds have a plethora of talented players to choose from. The question is, who are the Brewers willing to part with in order to get a deal done with the Reds.

Cincinnati is desperate for help in the outfield and in their starting rotation. Though young guns like Luis Castillo, Sal Romano, and Tyler Mahle until recently, had been playing well, the Reds are always searching for pitching help. Of the Brewers Top 30 prospects according to MLB.com, 20 are either outfielders or pitchers.

Milwaukee has a lot of talented hurlers that the Reds would love to get their hands on. Prospects like Caden Lemons, Marcos Diplan, and Zack Brown would be great additions to the Reds’ bullpen. While pitchers like Luis Ortiz and Trey Supak could be future starters in the Reds’ starting rotation.

We’ll see if this materializes into anything. For now, it’s just another Reds trade rumor. However, as the deadline creeps closer, you’d have to think the Reds are getting antsy and would like to unload Harvey for at least a prospect rather than lose him to free agency.