The Angels announced that they have designated righty Matt Harvey for assignment. The move comes on the heels of yet another rough outing for the 30-year-old former ace.
There are several other pitching moves coming for Los Angeles. Righty Jake Jewell was optioned out, creating room for the team to recall right-hander Jaime Barria and first baseman/left-handed pitcher Jared Walsh.
The Halos also announced that Keynan Middleton has been diagnosed with mild ulnar neuritis. While the good news is that he isn’t dealing with a structural issue, the reliever has been returned from his rehab assignment. His timeline for a full return remains unclear.
Harvey has posted brutal numbers for much of the season, struggling to find any kind of consistency. His one-year, $11MM contract has simply not worked out. It’s much the same story for the other veterans inked to one-year contracts over the winter, with Cody Allen ($8MM) long since released and Trevor Cahill ($9MM) limping along at much the same pace as Harvey.
While those signings are all disappointing, it remains particularly jarring to see the former Mets star Harvey struggling to stay afloat in the bigs. He lost yet more velocity this season and was near the bottom of the league in statistics ranging from strikeout percentage (14.7%) to the expected batting average (.302) and slugging percentage (.524) of opposing hitters, as measured by Statcast.
All told, Harvey has managed only 59 2/3 innings of 7.09 ERA pitching this year for the Angels. With 5.9 K/9 against 4.4 BB/9 and nearly two long balls per regulation game, ERA estimators did not take a much more optimistic view of his contributions. He graded out with a 6.35 FIP, 5.43 xFIP, and 5.78 SIERA.
It’s not at all clear where Harvey will go from here. Perhaps an effort to rebuild his repertoire or otherwise find a new approach will be necessary. Even if his arm speed won’t ever fully return, there’ll surely be teams interested in seeing if they can unlock some of the immense talent that Harvey showed during his heyday with the Mets.
In a 65-start run from 2012-2015, Harvey threw 427 innings of 2.53 ERA ball for the New York organization that drafted him. That included exceptional work both before and after the Tommy John procedure that cost him the 2014 campaign. After extending himself in the Mets’ 2015 World Series run — he kept pitching down the stretch and threw 26 2/3 excellent postseason innings after a memorable dispute arose over his availability — Harvey’s health took a turn for the worse. He ultimately underwent a procedure to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome in the summer of 2016. While Harvey has had stretches of useful MLB work since, he has never come close to regaining his early form.
Finally.
Agreed. Perhaps Barria will be up permanently for the remainder of the season.. It’s time to trade Kole and prospects for a higher end controllable arm. My understanding is only Adell and Canniing are off the table.
Cashman sees a deal….
I think Billy eppler should be fired cozar Allen Cahill Harvey over 38 million down the drain. wake up arte Moreno stop putting a Band-Aid over a bleeding cut what you have been putting on the field the last 3 years I’d rather see our rookies come and take those positions rebuild like Disney did
Arte Moreno think about it first-time GM’s under his ownership Tony Reagan Jerry dipoto Billy eppler spending all that money on free agents spend it on a good general manager Jerry dipoto might have been the Arizona GM for a short. Of time
The Angels are focusing on controllable pitchers in this year’s trading deadline I don’t see them Trading prospects so therefore I see Simmons or Calhoun being traded for Young pitching prospects or young controllable pitchers
Disney did it because management was cheap. Eisner thought he could run the team like a theme park, and when he realized the team was more that the players on the field and the stadium (it was also the care and feeding of the minors system, scouting and development, and MLB politics), he began to starve the franchise and tried to get rid of it. At one point, he worked with MLB on a plan to fold the Angels into the A’s or Twins, and cash out the franchise.
It was good fortune that the front office people the team hired drafted very well, and had the foresight to hire Scioscia. The WS win was a combination of shrewd management and some basic players having career years at the same time. That was enough spotlight to provide the window of opportunity to sell the team at the highest value possible.
But don’t put a rosy glow on Disney’s ownership. Aside from the stadium remodel and what led to the WS win, the third most significant contribution was the butt-ugly blue and periwinkle pinstripe atrocities they tried to pass off as uniforms. Disney was a poor owner over its tenure.
You brought up some very good points I like to hear other people’s thoughts the direction we’re going with Arte Moreno I mean the man spends his money for free agents Arte should leave baseball decisions to baseball executives Disney wasn’t the best owners but they did shell out money on Mo Vaughn and they did win a World Series under their ownership
who should actually get credit is GM Billy Bavasi for the draft class Jimmy Edmonds Darin erstad Garrett Anderson Tim salmon Troy glaus picking up David Eckstein putting together the pitching staff GM Bill Stoneman inherited that team
He’s definitely made some bets, but at least the only large mistake was Cozart. The other players were one year bets. Let’s also not forget the moves to get Ohtani, LaStella and Upton, He also took over some terrible payroll decisions from Dipoto and was given about the lowest rated minor league system which he has built into an upper third system very quickly. He went ahead and took a big gamble on Adell and it’s looking like we’ve got another star on the horizon. These one year gambles have been a bust, but he’ll have a lot of money to work with coming up soon which I hope they invest in starters.
Don’t get me wrong Billy eppler done a good job with the minor league systems and drafting but let’s face it a disaster in free agency Eppler didn’t have much to work with a low stack of chips on the poker table I know I’ve been hard on him but I’d like to see the angels move on with a new GM
Typical Angels…overpaying a crappy player…I can’t believe they paid him 11 million just to DFA him
Yet the padres have kinsler who should have been dfad in April
Considering he had a decent run with the Reds I think it’s fair to say that the Angels were just hoping for decent innings from Harvey while letting an offense they knew would score some runs and an improved bullpen do the rest in games he started.
Not $11-mil decent…
O’s have Davis
I don’t mind $11mm and 1 year. It’s the years. Imagine if they signed him to $44mm and 4 years. At least he won’t haunt your future…
Best days are behind
Ya think
If I’m the Braves, I just take a chance on this guy. What do we have to lose by now
Games. One for every start he makes.
That actually made me laugh out loud…
Me, too.
Well played, sir.
audible lol here.
Phillies? Cubs? Red Sox? Yankees? Astros?
Japan, Korea, Little League
His ego couldn’t handle the little leaguers destroying his bp arsenal
Crying in the dugout is par for the course, though.
No astros
Chico’s Bail Bonds
What? The Bad News Bears went to the little league World Series in the Houston Astro Dome they were pretty well set with starting pitcher Kelly
Wins
timing is everything.
Don’t say Braves! Not long ago they would be all over him & he would be the big deadline “splash”. Let’s hope AA & Co. have bigger ambitions. But if you want to stash him at Gwinnett to see if there’s any hope, that’s a different story.
Poor guy it’s nearly the end of his career maybe a tanking team like Baltimore signs him
Another fail. Stop signing these injury projects. All the money the Angels wasted on Cozart, Bour, Allen, Cahill, Harvey.. around 44 mil. They could have signed 2 -3 front line pitchers. Idiots!
Don’t forget Lincecum.
Heck mo Vaughn
Wait, Reggie Jackson, Dave Parker, David Winfield, Gary Mathews Jr, Hamilton, Mo Vaughn, Jose Canseco(although he never played), Jared Weaver, Held on to Jeff Weaver for 2 years too long. And …. Tim Salmon
Don’t even get me going on pitching if your a lefty and can fog a mirror you have a spot with the Angels
What pitchers where available for that price lmao, the armchair gms on here….
^Several.
Corbin, 6/140 (only 12.9m this yr) instead of Harvey/Cahill $20m this yr would’ve been better this past offseason.
The 2019 payout for Corbin is $15M when you factor in the signing bonus, and the Nationals closed the deal by guaranteeing a 6th year at *$35M*.
Suddenly, the one-year deal starts to make a little more sense. The Angels were outbid on Happ, Eovaldi, and Corbin. Ask the Red Sox fans if the team’s investment in Eovaldi is paying off. Harvey was more of a long-shot than Eovaldi, but younger than Happ, and it was a one-year experiment that went terribly wrong.
These types of players should be acquired on minor league deals, spending 40M on crap is not how to win. I feel bad for Trout.
Why feel bad for him? No one forced him to sign those extensions.
Say “Hi” to Cody Allen.
Twins will fix Cody Allen
They can fix worn out arms?
Castration seems a bit harsh.
Hahaha rofl!!!
What a shame. He seemed to have the whole world at his feet just a few years ago. Very sad end to a promising career.
Why did a guy with a 5.60 ERA in the 250 innings he pitched before getting signed, get $11M? My lord the Angels FO is eternally clueless. After this year Trout will have 1 playoff appearance in 9 years. That franchise should be forced to fold for what they’re doing to the greatest player we have ever seen.
They’ve got a few more seasons before they reach the levels of Ted Williams-Red Sox as far as wasting greatness goes.
In fairness to the Red Sox (can’t believe I’m saying that as a Yankee fan), there were no divisions or playoffs during Ted Williams career. They had some great teams, but you had to finish in first to go the the WS..
To be fair no one forced him to sign either of those extensions
They should have signed Kuechel for the money they wasted on Cahill and Harvey. So what Kuechel would have commanded 3+ years? Would have at least been a useful pitcher, which is more than we can say about Cahill and Harvey.
Go ask Griffey and the Mariners about that. I’m sure they’ll have a lot of stories to tell. I have no sympathy for Mike Trout. No one is entitled to a championship. Every organization has their ups and downs. Even the Yankees have had long playoff droughts with high payrolls.
Its not about having sympathy for Mike Trout, its about the stunning, long-term ineptitude of the Angels front office.
Actually it is. I’ve heard so many people say that he should be on a better team and he deserves to be in the playoffs. And many have said they feel sorry for him. Tell that to Griffey. Tell that to Ted Williams. Tell that to Tony Gwynn. Sometimes the biggest stars in the game will go years without seeing postseason play. I just say that’s baseball. If every organization was full of geniuses, like they’re trying to be now with all the analytics, it will never change the fact that the entire league has to average out to 81-81 at the end of every season.
Strike Four… it’s about you hating the Angels. Saying that the front office is clueless and thinking that they should be forced to fold shows your hateful ignorance.
Hamilton, Wilson, Upton, Cozart, technically Pujols, Harvey, Cahill, Allen, Blanton, Burnett…any other bad contracts, signings or overpays I forget here?
Chalk, this isn’t hateful ignorance when the same nightmare plays over and over every offseason. The Angels continue to squander, and pretty much have since their World Series.
True it’s not easy to be an Angel fan but the league has many more examples of teams that don’t even try to win and are completely unwatchable.
Trout, Ohtani, and Simmons are great players keep even a lost season interesting.
The hateful ignorance comment was referring to the “forced to fold comment” by SF.
If people are mad at the Angels front office for wasting Trouts talent their anger is misplaced. They should be mad at Trout himself because he knew what he was getting into and in effect he is wasting his own talent.
I believe Trout knows more about the Angels front office and what they are planning in the years ahead than Strike Four ever will.
Mattingly never got to play in a WS game, one of the few Yankee SS’s who never did and played awhile.
Reliever?
That’s what I was thinking. Closer in fact. If he could somehow reach back to the days when he was a good pitcher for just one inning, he may extend his career. He just needs to check his ego at the door.
I don’t think he has the make up for that. Watching him in NY, I always thought he had a drinking problem. Interesting to see what’s next for him. Someone will give him a chance.
What evidence do you have that he had a drinking problem
Out at all hours, perpetually late to practice and at least one game, looking bloated and out of sorts, etc. The NY soap opera was well documented. Google it.
So there is no line between enjoying manhattan nightlife and being an alcoholic?
I understand uts not a good look to be out late and show up late to team events practices games etc
But its irresponsible to flat out call someone an alcoholic with no concrete proof
I said a drinking problem. Didn’t see any other Met’s or Yanks with that problem during his time there. Did you? Guess he is the only one with the “Migraine” issue.
I remember around that time cc Sabathia sitting out the end of the season to check into rehab for alcoholism
As far as the migraines go that may very well have been his problem. You have no proof otherwise except for speculation
You are correct, I am speculating, but his behavior and appearance fit the bill. Pretty much all people are doing here is speculating. That’s what opinions and comments are. It is fine to not agree with them.
Yeah but you have zero evidence
Round and round we go. Did you follow his time in NY? See the pics of the bloated mess after his “migraine” and tardiness? Plenty of evidence to back up my opinion.
I think if Johnson remembers how much money they paid for Smithson then they could get Franklin for cheap. His ERA was 2.00 in the minors. And, he had 3 TDS during the last two holes.
He’ll get another chance,sometimes it’s different Philosophy of another Organization that changes a Pitcher or Ballpark ,seen it many times
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cleveland Indians sign him and send him to AAA Columbus for depth.
This is why they should have resigned Jim Johnson
Strong off season moves by the Halos. What fan could not see this coming when they signed him?
White Sox should grab him. They have several others starting now worse than him with zero past success.
Yeah why not. Maybe Cooper can…. ah who am I kidding Coop should be gone too.
Go to the Philadelphia Phillies. Hopefully, Harvey can perform better there.
Thank heavens. Now DFA Cahill and invest in some good young pitchers.
Phillies are reaching for the phone.
Future Phillie
This is the guy the Reds thought it was so urgent to extend less than a year ago that they refused to trade him for anything.
I doubt they were offered much, and didn’t give up anything to get him. And at least the Reds had the sense not to offer that contract.
Literally anything they were offered would have been worth taking
In the organizations defense they needed to get As much as their moneys worth as they could, they gave him half a season to get things right and you could tail that coming out of the second half especially after they placed him on the injured list with that fake injury he was going to be on a very short leash, hearing himself one more start after the Seattle game but six runs against the team we have to beat in our division just doesn’t cut it…His starts were getting predictable and I reached my wits end when he literally couldn’t throw back to back scoreless innings..He’s not a major league starter any more good riddance and good luck.
Knuckleball.
former Ace? thats a stretch
We was before he had TJ surgery.
Even when he came back he was an ace for a year. After that, it all fell apart.
He had a sub-3.00 ERA/FIP, and K/BB of 4.78 between 2012 and 2015. So yea, I’d consider that ace level results.
It’s just amazing just how far his career has declined. Just 6 years ago, he was dubbed N ew York’s Batman and was the NL starter in the All-Star game, pitching two scoreless. Now you can add him to the pile of pitchers that have made the Angels less than formidable the [past several seasons.
When we entered the offseason, A’s fans and even some experts were upset the A’s didn’t try to outbid the Angels for guys like Harvey and Cahill.
Meanwhile I’m just sitting back drinking the kool aid because I have no reason not to.
Only the dumb A’s fans thought that. i was glad they didn’t sign either. both pitchers had 1 good year. CaHill had a good start to 2018 but was just average the rest of 2018. I do remember Angel fans saying they would contend and be a playoff team because of their great pitching. Lucky for Angel fans those were 1 year deals not stuck with a Darvish like cub fans. Now you can watch those same LA fans telling you how great the Lakers will be when they miss the playoffs again next year.
Different sports. In basketball superstars matter and the Lakers have two of the top seven or so players in the game. Unless Lebron and Anthony Davis miss 25+ games, they will be in the playoffs for sure and more than likely a top 4 seed. There is a reason their title odds are what they are.
Even baseball experts thought the Angels had a really good shot at a playoff pot, and that was without Ohtani in the rotation.
Dervish had an injury that kept him out most of last year took a half season to recover his last 3 starts have been dominant….you wanna talk bad look at arrietta and his contract 1 year probably will be injured for the rest of it…people and I’m talking cub fans as well still seem to think the 2nd half of 15 the first half of 16 arrietta will show up not gonna happen
Not the same “LA”, better yet, LA at all.
“Nationals sign Matt Harvey and intend to try him in bullpen”
Oh thank God!!!!!
Seems like a natural fit for my dumpster-diving Brewers…
He’s made 27 million dollars to date and as long as he has not blown his money he will be able to retire before the age of 35. I am sure someone will take a chance on him as some sort of reclamation project, I could see him being used in a bullpen role if his ego would allow it.
At this rate, he’ll retire before 32.
Look at his home / road splits…
Surely a team can iron him out and move him to the pen permanently.
He could’ve easily moved to the bullpen but I think maybe he either refused it (wouldn’t surprise me) or they know they have to eventually make a decision when JC Ramirez comes back, and even more so when Middleton is finally healthy. It was probably both. My guess is that signing Harvey, Cahill, and Allen had more to do with just getting those innings to buy time for their young starters, rest the bullpen, and then perhaps trade them when guys like JC and Middleton return. Whatever the case, I think those two returning would’ve prompted some kind of move during this part of the season.
Harvey and Cahill were intended to be a stop gap solution in a lost season. If they failed to lock up Trout for life they would have gone into full rebuild mode.
GREAT NEWS !!
Bye Felicia
I think Eppler’s deal is up after the season. Ohtani basically fell in his lap. I wonder if he gets a new contract from Arte?
I think his tenure has to be looked at poorly.
Unless that farm system Angels fans rave about carries him to an extension. Also wonder if the owner is to blame for these contracts.
I’m guessing, but yeah, Moreno is likely a big culprit in the Angels mediocrity.
Problem is the GM needs to figure out a way to be successful in spite of Arte’s meddling.
the Angels need to end the relationship with Billy eppler disaster signing free agents though good with the minor league system I’m sure Arte Moreno pulling his hair out at night
It’s a dark night in the Harvey residence.
The word & number of the day is 28 Million! That is the money Eppler wasted this year in 3 pitchers (Harvey, Allen, Cahill). I wonder what Arte is thinking….
If you want to feel (a little) better, the Mets wasted $29m-ish on Cespedes to not play….again.
But hopefully they have insurance for most of that.
Low hanging fruit for the cardinals. Seems to fit mo’s philosophy
I’m seeing too many “going to the Phillies” comments for my liking….
Is actually like to see him back in Cincinnati on a minors deal. It’s a different pitching coach but I think it could be a good fit.
Maybe DD will bring him to Boston . Please God don’t let that happen
Former Ace? He had half a good year once.
No he pitched in NY his next stop is Cooperstown. Just ask any of the NY experts.
Matt Harvey is the poster child for what happens when supreme talent gives way to poor work ethic and a terrible attitude.
All of the salary on Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill ($7 million in wasted money for the Angels), plus D’Shawn Knowles (roadblocked by Trout, Upton, Adell, Marsh, Adams, and Hermosillo) to the White Sox in exchange for three or four spare parts in the White Sox system.
“Much the same for other veterans”… Cole Hamels is having an excellent year (so far).
Farewell, Dork Night. We hardly knew ye…
He will sign with someone a team like the royals that have nothing to lose at league minimum prorated he can fill some innings.
I like our new management. They base their decisions on performance. $11m is nothing compared to other contracts that plagued us for years. My biggest frustration with Scioscia was he kept playing guys even though they hurt the team (Blanton, Ji-Man, Joyce, etc.) Calculated risks are good to take when they aren’t afraid to move on when they don’t work.
Mets sign em shove em to the bullpen maybe he can regain that fb and slider.