3:20pm: A source disputes the reporting from the Nationals’ perspective, per Chelsea Janes and Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post (Twitter links). The Washington organization does not have interest in Harvey and “seems unlikely” to be a real bidder on Iglesias, according to the WaPo duo. The Nats are said to have shown some interest in Iglesias as a reliever, but that came before they acquired Kelvin Herrera.
10:07am: The Nationals have been in touch with the Reds recently and are eyeing right-handers Matt Harvey and Raisel Iglesias, in particular, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred (Twitter link). Perhaps most interestingly, Heyman notes that several clubs are intrigued by the idea of using Iglesias as a starter.
Harvey, 29, has undeniably raised his stock since joining the Reds in a trade nearly two months ago in a trade that sent Devin Mesoraco to New York. Through 53 2/3 innings out of the Cincinnati rotation, he’s worked to a 3.86 ERA with 6.7 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 1.17 HR/9 and a 43 percent ground-ball rate. More encouraging than the bottom-line numbers is the fact that Harvey has steadily improved his velocity over the course of his tenure in Cincinnati; he’s averaged nearly 95 mph on his fastball over his past five starts and is averaging 94.2 mph on his heater as a Red after averaging 92.6 mph as a Met.
Harvey would be a pure rental for any team that acquires him, as he’s slated to hit free agency at season’s end. From the Nationals’ vantage point, though, it’s not clear he’d be a definitive upgrade over their in-house options. The Nats’ current top three of Max Scherzer, Tanner Roark and Gio Gonzalez is a strong trio, and while it’s not known exactly when Stephen Strasburg will rejoin the team, he did recently throw a bullpen session. If Strasburg’s absence proves to be lengthy, the need for a starter would be more pronounced. If he can return in the reasonably near future, though, it’s tougher to call Harvey a demonstrative upgrade over current fifth starter Jeremy Hellickson, who has turned in a perhaps surprisingly effective season to date (2.63 ERA, 7.1 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, 3.51 FIP, 3.55 xFIP through 48 innings).
As for Iglesias, he stands out as a reasonable target for virtually any team with postseason aspirations. The 28-year-old has stepped up as Cincinnati’s closer over the past two seasons and pitched quite well, regularly pitching more than an inning per appearance. Since Opening Day 2017, he’s pitched 112 2/3 innings (97 appearances) and posted a 2.48 ERA with 10.6 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and 0.8 HR/9. Beyond that, he’s controlled for three more years after the 2018 season, making him a long-term piece for any club to add to its staff — be it in the bullpen or rotation.
The Nationals’ bullpen is much improved from a year ago, as they’ve since added Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler and Kelvin Herrera, to say nothing of the surprisingly dominant Justin Miller. But Iglesias would nonetheless further deepen an increasingly productive relief corps for manager Dave Martinez or, perhaps, serve as an upside play to plug into the fifth spot in the Washington rotation. If that proved to be a role in which he could thrive, he’d give the team a valuable option there with Gonzalez and Hellickson set to hit free agency at season’s end and Roark controlled only through 2019.
Iglesias is a STUD, he will be very expensive to the teams goes after him
Robles or bust.
Where does he play?
Does it honestly matter?
Yea it kinda does.
Center field
Well, if the Nats would happen to offer Juan Soto, I’d jump on it. But otherwise, I agree we need Robles or bust in an Iglesias trade
If I was Dick Williams I’d offer both Iglesias and Harvey to WAS for either Soto or Robles. That’s a big W for the Reds either way.
Dick Williams isn’t the gm anymore
He’s still the shot caller. He’s president of baseball ops and still in charge of all decisions.
Yes, but the GM works for him.
And if Dick Williams doesn’t want it, it’s not happening.
That isn’t happening. Why trade a top 10 prospect in all of baseball???
Because you are getting 3+ years of a top notch closer.
It doesn’t make sense, BUT teams do it ALL THE TIME. A 60 or 75 inning a year pitcher is fetching a ransom in trade returns the past few years. Iglesias is one of the best (top 10 in all of baseball) closer/setup RPs and can go multiple innings when needed. He also is signed VERY cheaply at 5.7 mill per year (relatively speaking) for two more years after this year and that adds ALOT of value for a team acquiring him.
This is NOT a stud RP rental, thus the expected high upside return. Getting anything less than a top 2 or 3 prospect from another organization (if not their top) would be a huge miss by the Reds FO.
I would’ve loved to see Iglesias as a starter for the Reds, but I’m not convinced his shoulder will ever hold up to a starter’s workload.
he will throw about 75% of a starter’s innings this year. all of baseball thinks he can start. the reds are crazy
He was on the DL multiple times for shoulder issues when he was a starter. I really hope he can start but I still doubt it.
Who would the Reds receive if we traded both Harvey and Iglesias to the Nats
Harper and Soto
Not sure Harvey adds much to a trade, but Iglesias should fetch one of their top 3 prospects (Robles, Soto or their best SP prospect). I can’t imagine they’d even think about trading Soto now, but you never know, they may think they’re selling high and snookering the Reds into leaving Robles alone.
Robles injury is a bit worrisome, but any high upside talent for a three inning a week RP is a win for the Reds. As long as they don’t get duped into taking quantity over quality (three mediocre prospects instead of one top tier prospect), then I would be content.
Who would the Reds revive if we traded both Harvey and Iglesias to the Nats
My vote would go to Babe Ruth, if they could revive him as a young Bambino.
Haha
Iglesias is a good reliever, but something tells me he wouldn’t be that great of a starter. If the nats do get him, they won’t try him as a starter till spring training I bet.
he throws 5 pitches out of 3 slots. he was amazing till when he did. of course his arm got tired. He had not pitched in a year then they let him throw 8 a game
I think the Reds learned their lesson when they tried to convert Chapman into a starter. If a guy’s a successful closer, you leave him there. Let the receiving team try to convert Iglesias if they want to, but good lick with that.
They converted the Cuban Missile into a closer. He was a starter in Cuba, and all minors coming up same time as Strasburg. Then, to fit him on the MLB team brought him up in the bullpen first.
It’s a shame he never got to try and be the dominant starter he was coming up.
Robles and Keiboom
LOLOL
Nees to start with 1 of the two.
Else, no deal.
With the way the Reds have been playing id ask for a kings ransom if they decided to trade them both. Harvey is having success with the Reds so he should try staying put for his mental state and sign an extention. Would like to see where the Reds end up this year if they keep playing like this.
Harvey doesn’t bring back much of anything.
Hey laser…just wondering if you were one of the Mets fans who claimed that he was “all washed up”?
Last three games: era around 1.5 AND fastball now reaching 95.
Too bad that the Mets gave up on him so early…since his replacement coupled with Noah’s June vacation hade contributed to their “worst performance the past 8 weeks”.
Not sure if Mets gave up or Harvey did. Sometimes a change of scenery makes a huge difference and the numbers seem to show that in Harvey’s case.
Glad to see he’s contributing to the Reds and hopefully keeps the trajectory in the right direction.
Totally agree
Mikeyank you idiot, you always commented on Harvey being garbage. You are such a tool it isn’t funny. Well I guess he funny part is you can’t seem to see it or figure it out and EVERYONE else does lol. Keep on keeping on you silly silly boy.
The irony of calling someone an idiot.
Follow a few Mets stories and you will understand. By the way, look up the word irony.
You already took one of my fantasy closers, please don’t take iglesias too! But in reality, hope they get him.
Geez…can we toss Homer Bailey into that too?
Now that’s a great idea! Reds send Iglesias, Harvey, and Bailey to WAS for Eric Fedde and Brandon Kintzler. It would be worth it for CIN to take less than Soto or Robles just to get rid of Bailey and his contract.
Heck I’d throw Bailey and $3m of his next year’s into the mix (the Reds pay the rest) just to get him out of town. Not sure the Nationals would really need Harvey, but if they want to take him – Iglesias can tuck each one under an arm and head over to the Nats tomorrow. As for what comes back…I’d be happy with Soto and Kyle McGowan
Maybe the yankees can get iglesias since there aren’t many top flight starters available. I don’t really know where the reds are lacking in prospect depth position wise, but maybe clint frazier and some other propects.
They’re not trading Frazier for a reliever. Cashman said he’d prefer to hold on to him so why would he dump him
The only player that Cashman has been steadfast on not moving is Torres. In fact he said he’d be willing to move any prospect asset rather then Torres for the right player-players.
It’s not “dumping” him. Frazier has no future on this team. I don’t understand why most yankee fans are obsessed with him and don’t understand that. You’re living in a fantasy world if you think frazier is going to get regular playing time this year or even next year
“You’re living in a fantasy world if you think Frazier is going to get regular playing time this year or even next year” he’s actually not because they may not decide to exercise Gardner’s option leaving Left open. That of course is based on whether he’s traded or not.
I hadn’t thought about that. Touche. So perhaps next year but definitely not this year
Unfortunately, the Yankees maybe pushing Gardy out door end of the season, regardless his trade value. He’ll be sorely missed!!!
No doubt a positive in that dugout, esp with all the young players. Eat Ellsburys contract already and keep Gardy around another year.
But what about Jacoby Ellsbury?? /jk
Don’t think they really want Iglesias…The Yankees have one of the best bullpens in MLB.
They need a solid 1,2 starter to be a backbone with Severino or else the bullpen will be moot….
Also at this point I don’t think Andujar is going any where because there isn’t a Verlander-type worth it. DeGrom is up there but it would only be Andujar and maybe a AA type, Adams might be the second prospect but that’s all that would be in that package. And the Mets are surely going to ask for double that….
I’d much rather see a load of pitching prospects come back, no offensive players. Pitching is an ongoing issue with the Reds. It still kills me they took offense over pitching with their first pick.
If Iglesias is available hope the Braves make a run at him. I wish we would make a move to shore up the bullpen already I had no faith last night
I sure hope so too. The braves farm is filed with good young SP’s. The Reds could definitely use a few of them.
Ya’ll are delusional if you think Iglesias is getting you a prospect of Soto or Robles’ level from any team
Then the Reds should keep him. 3 1/2 years of a cost-controlled back-end of the bullpen reliever who is averaging an ERA+ of 170 per year (70% better than league average) should absolutely net an overwhelming return. For reference, the Cubs gave up an equally touted prospect (Torres), their no. 7 prospect (McKinney), a 28 y/o ML reliever (Warren) and a lottery ticket (Crawford) for 3 months of Chapman. If I am the Reds, I keep Iglesias if the offer is anything less than Robles plus at least one other Nats top 10 prospect.
Iglesias is a very good bullpen arm, and the year of control are very valuable…. he’s still not Chapman
I agree, there are few Chapman-like comps out there. But what relatively you lose in talent, you make up in years of control (not to mention the possibility of converting him to a starter). The Chapman trade comp would be something like Robles, Will Crowe, Tim Collins and Armond Upshaw. Iglesias should net at least something like Robles and Romero. If they want Harvey, they need to add a lottery ticket prospect like Upshaw. Again, if the Nats balk, then Reds should just keep Iglesias.
3.5 years of Iglesias is more then half season of Chapman.
Iglesias more proven and better then Giles as well.
I can see not dealing Soto but reds need to get two of nats top five with Robles being one for this to make sense.
lol
Ken GIles is a closer return you’d get. Solid prospects, but no top 10
Iglasias is better the Giles, and he has 3+ years of control
Better be a gigantic Hall, because this rebuild needs to end
Matt Harvey aka The Dark Knight. Buwahahaha. Guy was so overrated in NYC.
Makes you wonder what the Mets do to pitchers…..
I think a package built around Voth would fit the Reds nicely he was on the fast track to make the Nationals rotation but had some set backs and has seemed to regain his composure and maybe rebuilt value back up.
LOL, a 23rd ranked prospect for one of the best relievers in game.
NO WAY>
He has been as high as 6 in the Nationals system and those boards have not been updated and were based on his worst season of his professional career, while he is not going to be a top 100 prospect ever at this point he is a lot more than a 23rd ranked prospect.
Why would the Reds do that??? The only reason to trade a guy like Iglesias is to bring in an immediate impact player, that can help them next season through 2025. That is about the run with the current roster, and top prospects that are coming up. You don’t trade a valuable piece that we have control of through 2020 for a reclamation PROSPECT. LOL wake up!
Position wise, baring an injury, the Reds are set for next 2-3 years. They need starting pitching. I don’t think all of Fedde, Romero and Crowe would be enough for Iglesias and Harvey. I’d like to hear how a trade between these 2 teams to bring SP’s back to the Reds can be a fit. I’m starting to think that the salary dumping Bailey idea my not be as far fetched as I originally thought. Do the Nats have payroll room?
Unless reds going to use bailey money for something else this would be pointless. A trade of 3.5 years of a top available close is worth more then lining owners pockets.
Another purpose, Sign signing AJ or Dallas would be fine.
Agree with ya.
I think the Reds would take that.
I think it would be fare.
May need to add a lower level lottery ticket to the bunch
Off topic yes but WOW!
What a horrible time for a horrible season by Bryce Harper.
How much more of a joke can the Mets be? Lmao of course they let Harvey go and now he will be a ace with the nationals, resign there and win a cy young next year!!!
As a Reds fan I would want maybe a trade with another team unless Robles and maybe Fedde or Seth Romero . What the reds truly need is pitching and mlb ready. So if Robles is untouchable I would hit up the Indians or Stros
Reds need new decision makers. Why would you have talents like Iglesias and Chapman be bullpen guys? What a waste.
I can’t disagree with you, they’re doing it now with Garrett.
If I am Matt Harvey, I am seriously considering staying with the Reds. He is thriving in the smaller media market and the hitter’s ballpark is not really hurting him. If I am the Reds, I would seriously consider it also. He would be a much better veteran leader for the young rotation over a very overrated Homer Bailey. On top of that, he is still fairly young and has tremendous upside. I would try maybe a 3/30 or 4/40 offer, it’s potentially a bargain for someone with Harvey’s potential, but not so huge that it would cripple you if his injuries prevent a return to glory.
I don’t think fans or analysts overrate Homer Bailey any more. Everyone except the Reds’ shot callers know he sucks
Fair point, but the point remains the same. Harvey would be a much better vet mentor than Bailey.
The way Harvey has pitched so far is well worth $10 million a year. If Harvey is willing to take that the Reds better sign it. The Reds TV guys can be blunt when necessary and they’ve said nothing bad about Harvey.
I do have to disagree with one thing. Thom Brennaman is the biggest homer this side of Hawk Harrelson. He is blunt, but only when talking about players on the other team.
As a Mets observer I wish Harvey the best. The Mets screwed him up.