APRIL 8: Baltimore announced they’ve signed Harvey to a minor league contract. He’ll make a prorated $1MM salary for any time spent in the big leagues, reports Dan Connolly of the Athletic, with a $500K assignment bonus in the event of a trade.
APRIL 7: The Orioles are close to bringing right-hander Matt Harvey back to the organization on a minor league deal, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. The Boras Corporation client will report to extended Spring Training and build up toward a potential debut relatively early in the season.
Harvey, 33, spent the 2021 season in Baltimore and soaked up 127 2/3 innings while getting knocked around to the tune of a 6.27 ERA. His fastball, which once averaged 96.9 mph, sat at 93.6 mph, while his 16.3% strikeout rate was among the lowest marks of his career. Harvey’s 6.4% walk rate was considerably better than the league average, but the once-vaunted righty didn’t give much other reason to hope for a return to his “Dark Knight” form.
The Orioles, however, aren’t attempting to compete in 2022 anyhow and need some extra arms to eat innings in a similar role that Harvey held last season. He clearly made a solid impression on the organization and in the clubhouse, so he’ll have the opportunity to return for a second season.
Harvey was in the spotlight this offseason as a witness in the trial of former Angels communications director Eric Kay, who has been charged with providing opioids that led to the death of Tyler Skaggs. Harvey acknowledged on the stand that he has previously used opioids and other drugs, particularly during his time with the Mets, but the right-hander has by all accounts moved past that history of drug abuse. Orioles GM Mike Elias acknowledged to reporters that Harvey’s role in the Kay/Skaggs trial does make it a “very unique situation” (link via Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun).
Yikes man
Why? Is he going to pay the orioles himself to pitch for them? I’m sorry but the Dark Knight is done.
they could have just promoted Blaine Knight instead.
Socially distant. Got the mask. A fit for our times.
He’s a NARK
Yes let’s sign a pitcher who hasn’t been effective in 8 years. Wow. No wonder the Orioles are the Orioles. He should be playing Slow-Pitch
Wow that 6.27 ERA and looming suspension really convinced them to bring him back
None of the witnesses can be suspended.
Idk about that
this ain’t sign stealing buddy
So much for the draft lottery preventing teams from tanking.
No one ever reasonably thought that would work in this sport. Teams don’t tank to get better draft position, they refuse to spend cuz they figure they might as well save money if they ain’t gonna win
Mostly true, they also offload any valuable players for prospects that are basically lottery tickets, but I agree it’s very different than losing for a better chance at a college play who will start in the next year or two like the NFL and NBA.
Wish him well and good health. Harvey hasn’t been “good” since 2015. Orioles looking for a miracle here.
I don’t think at any point they’re wishing for a miracle… they will strictly use him as an inning eater if he makes the roster. Don’t know why you would think they’re banking on him to be crazy successful.
Of course they are.
But why? Even aside from all the off-field stuff, he has a 6.83 ERA the last 3 seasons. I know the Orioles likely aren’t going to be competitive this year, but surely some random Triple-A depth arm could have done better. Why not go after Brett Anderson, who’s still an FA and has been relatively solid? At least there’s a chance you can flip Anderson at the deadline.
Harvey isn’t even an innings eater at this point. They don’t have anybody on the AAA roster who could pitch? Or even just sign someone who’ll get DFA today? At least one of them would come with more control and upside.
It drives me crazy when anyone talks about guys like this as “innings eaters.” The type of pitcher who can reliably eat 6 innings with 4 ER (ERA of 6) is actually quite rare.
Guys like Harvey just get bombed in 2.1 innings too often. If you want to let him eat innings you have to let him give up 8 runs and stay in the game. Otherwise he’s just a Bullpen Eater.
Very correct. Thwse pichers throw less then 200 innings a year. More like innings appetizer
Yea, “innings eater” used to mean a guy who wasn’t an ace, but went deep into games often. Now it refers to a pitcher who is absolutely terrible, but you hope you can squeeze 4 innings out of him.
Someone like Tyler Anderson is a true innings eater. He goes out, gives 5+ innings and keeps your team in the game. He’s no ace, but you could do a heck of a lot worse for a #5 type starter.
That’s what I’m saying. Literally any Quad-A up-and-down pitcher could at least do as good as Harvey has done the last few years.
He wasn’t really that bad, if you take out those 3 performances where he got lit up…OK, he was really bad.
Oh, man. There are no rookie kids that can give his production, or lack thereof? Everyone deserves a second chance, but some people deserve their first one too.
I really don’t know where the O’s are going. I could be wrong, but I feel like their rebuild isn’t going well. Oh, they have some top names that will break in shortly, but I’m not sure about the overall depth. I don’t get the impression they’ve replicated the Astros model in Baltimore. They’ll soon be better, but competing in the AL East is going to remain a challenge.
@RobM the farm system is ranked top 3 by every major outlet. More than one has them #1 overall. You don’t achieve that without depth. This is the last season they’ll be the butt of the jokes. Enjoy it.
Let’s hope so. @osfandan.
@osfandan, I wasn’t making a joke. I was asking a serious question, which is why I said I could be wrong. You do seem defensive, though.
A little salty.
Yet, there are no question marks in your comment.
This is the sort of thing that cellar dwellers do: sign a guy who once was good in the hopes that he rediscovers something and can be traded later. They might get a prospect better than someone lower in their system. Meanwhile, they’ve got a Name guy who might help sell a few more tickets.
I have to say I got a chuckle out of “a Name guy who might help sell a few more tickets.” If he’s working in the ticket booth, perhaps.
Best line today! Ticket booth!?
@bhambrave pretty sure you got this one wrong. Nobody in our front office thinks the fan base is that dumb. We are simply trying to get through this season in which ST was shortened without rushing any of our pitching prospects. In a season or two we will be chasing/trading for top SP talent, just like Houston did when the time was right. That’s why they went ahead and moved the wall back now, so they have a full season of numbers to show FA pitchers that Camden is no longer a boon to their stats.
Man, comments like these are better than any comedy show.
You are evidence of the kind of fan the Orioles thinks it has. They have you honestly believing that despite their history of NEVER doing ANYTHING like what you say they will in a couple of years, that all of sudden they’re going to do this. Also the very good possibility that Peter Angelos will pass away and that means his sons inherit the team, and they most likely sell it to a new owner/ownership group and who is to say that they see Baltimore as a lucrative market when they could EASILY go elsewhere.
They moved the walls back because our current pitchers are batting practice machines and give up gopher balls like they are free samples.
They honestly have you believing that what they are doing now is an actual rebuild. And you say they don’t think you’re dumb.
Sad.
Horrible pitcher and even worse person. I don’t get this at all.
“even worse person” based on what?
Helping young teammates obtain opioids.
Ask Tyler Skaggs
you mean the guy who chose to do drugs?
only tyler killed tyler, and that’s a fact.
so much for personal responsibility like his faith preaches, while blaming everyone else for their own problems.
Not a terrible person but he’s made some really bad decisions and engaged in bad behavior. Hopefully he’s learned.
Egads.
Scott Boras at his best.
I’d rather watch Jim Palmer pitch again .
Albert Belle, Rafael Palmeiro, Matt Harvey, Orioles really like their “character” guys…
Because Boston has never had any issues with their players (insert eye roll here)…Clemens, Steven Wright, Julio Valdez. Glass houses and all, mate…
I imagine there are 29 other clubhouses Harvey would not be welcome in since it took til opening day to return to his previous team. Players are human and things happen. Your examples are players that did things after years with the team. Mine were examples of players the team knew did things BEFORE signing them
He had a drug problem, is that not forgivable? I mean he’s a terrible pitcher at this point but I don’t think a history of drug addiction excludes him from 29 teams. His performance excludes him, but not his past.
It’s not the addiction, it’s the distribution to other addicts who are now deceased.
His demons are his demons and no that doesn’t exclude him. However, his demons claimed more than one victim and that is a problem
Good for the Orioles. I hope Harvey performs well enough that they can flip him for major prospects in July.
I hope I win a 45 million dollar lottery jackpot.
I hope that Nigerian prince comes through.
Me too.
POS but good for him
“working on a deal”? Shouldn’t Harvey be on his knees begging??
Strike up the band and play “Happy Days are Here Again”. This is the one we’ve all been waiting for. I mean any organization who gives a moment’s thought to signing this guy really needs a full evaluation of who they are and where they’re headed.
I love my Os but ohh god no!!! This will be a PR nightmare
Harvey knows where to get the good yayo!
A drug pusher who can’t even pitch. That’s desperation.
so, he forced pills on tyler?
no, he didn’t.
he made tyler take drugs?
no, he didn’t.
every bottle of painkillers says the same thing (don’t mix with booze, don’t take with other drugs).
tyler chose to ignore that, could have taken weed, which is legal in cali and for mlb players, but chose to take pills, mix them with booze, paid the price.
like antivaxxers are finding out, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
and there’s no dumber people on earth than republican christians, the folks overdosing and dying of covid at levels way above the godless folks they mock and treat like garbage.
guess y’all druggies, kid touchers, and antivaxxers owned me, considering 2 million of you are gone for good, several million more wrecked for life.
Yea, he’s not a “pusher”. This naive narrative blaming the person who handed the addict drugs they OD on needs to go away. It’s based on ignorance and folly. Harvey is not to blame for anything that happened to anyone but Harvey.
I’ve heard rumors he reinvented himself throwing a knuckleball.
Well, what he was doing up until now clearly wasn’t working, so why not?
I heard he is going to throw a goofball
Bounce-back candidate! Bouncing back to 2015.
The MLBPA probably likes this – Harvey essentially throwing batting practice will inflate players’ stats and increase their earning potential.
Gleyber Torres approves.
How is this even possible?? Is the league looking into the drug stuff?
He was granted immunity for agreeing to testify in the Skaggs trial. I could be wrong but I’d imagine MLB is going to give everyone else whom had testified a free pass in return for helping to root out MLB’s player drug issues. I’d much rather see MLB work together with players to find solutions than to penalize them. I’m not a Harvey fan.
Apparently most of the commenters here can’t look past their Oriole bashing biases and read the situation for what it is. The O’s are signing Harvey to a minor league deal. No guarantees he will ever see Baltimore. Secondly, if you watched him pitch last year, as I unfortunately did, the majority of his appearances were him pitching well for the first three to four innings, then getting blown up in his last inning. At least a half dozen times I watched him throw four shutout innings then give up 4 in the 5th. It is quite possible that they are looking at him for a multi=inning relief role, which might be appropriate for him at this stage in his career. As to his character, if he hadn’t been a good guy in the clubhouse last year they would not have brought him back. He isn’t good enough to tolerate any negative issues,
Good point. I am in Toronto but I saw some of his starts and he was sharp early in games before getting corked. Nice crisp heater for 3 or 4 innings before the laser show of baseballs started
Keep drinking that Orange Kool-Aid. There is only one reason why they signed him. He’s dirt cheap
.
That is the ultimate determining factor for the Orioles as currently run. They will not be competing any time soon. The team is in limbo while Peter Angelos is ill and his sons await the inheritance of the team. When that happens, there is a good possibility the team goes up for sale.
It has nothing to do with anything else. You are kidding yourself if you believe or expect anyone else to believe what you wrote.
Harvey is more expensive than a rookie,.which is their alternative. He may no longer be a star, but for the 11th or 12th pitcher on the staff, he’s more costly than their other options.
But still less expensive than a pitcher who can actually pitch well. Which is also their alternative, they just choose not to because it is cheaper to lose with a horrible roster.
I’m hoping the son’s keep the team. I here they are not gung ho like there Dad in regards to the day to day management of the club. They will let Elias and company do their thing without interference from them. Lifelong Baltimorians, they have a wonderful opportunity to be good stewards to the fans … and community.
Predictions for Harvey’s 2022:
14-5 3.18 era 174.2 IP 213K
You, Elias and a few Orioles diehards are smoking the same thing.
I think you mean 2012
Orioles ARE hard up for pitching. Geez.
Rebuilding teams endure brutal pitching while the young arms develop in the minors. I went through this in 2019 with the Jays. It is hard to endure for sure.
Not an Orioles fan, just a baseball fan and from an outsiders point of you even though he’s young and may need a little more time in the minor leagues I don’t think it would hurt to keep DL Hall with the team after the spring he just had. If anything to get his feet wet and see if he sticks, not sure he has more to prove in the minors. Has to be better than what Harvey brings at this stage.
Not a good approach. Did not pitch at all in 2020, only threw 31 innings in 2021 due to injury. If he throws 100 innings overall in 2022 I will be surprised. He will start in extended spring training before being sent back to AA in a month.
And Ramon, I think Hall would come closer to those stats than Harvey ever would….
Another example of why certain players get so many chances yet someone in the minors can rot away. There has to be someone else that can produce similar number to Harvey, and hey, maybe even surprise too.
Such an elias move! “Our pitchers need to step it up.. “ and then dumpster dives again, while the team is begging for ticket sales on Facebook.
Does anyone know why Harvey hasn’t been given an opportunity in the BP? He’s been a poor “innings eater” for quite a while now. Is he opposed to a move? Would it be too tough on his arm?
The Mets tried to use him out of the pen and he made a huge stink about it.
Why? How? What for?
These are the top comments I see. Please allow me to explain to people that either don’t understand the Orioles or choose not to see the blatantly obvious.
HE”S CHEAP! Bottom line. The Orioles are in perpetual tank (“rebuilding”) mode. They are spending no money on this team while the health of Peter Angelos looms over this organization. His passing will also have a potentially huge impact on this team’s future in general and perhaps even staying in Baltimore.
There are ways to be cheap that don’t include signing Matt Harvey though
But, this is the Orioles and he is cheap. What part don’t you get?
Good luck with that.
Mike Elias at his best. He didn’t have Springer, Altuve, Correra, and Kuechel in the organization like he did when he and Lunhow took over the Astros.
Truthfully this is a signing with the hope Harvey does something worthwhile so they can trade him for a lottery pick but Harvey is done and will most likely flush out of the system…
Good get Baltimore! Maybe we can loose 112 games this year!
Harvey pitched well in his final 10 starts last year (4.18 ERA / 51.2 IP / 52 H / 11 BB / 34 K / 7 HR) which is what Elias and Co. are hoping will carry over, if not better.
If it doesn’t? Well, the team is rebuilding anyway and can afford to lose games.
Dude admitted on the stand he shared pills with Tyler Skaggs the road trip he died on. Nice to see he was rewarded
tyler chose to take 6x normal dose with a bunch of beers.
tyler killed tyler, full stop.
funny, i thought born agains take responsibility for their own actions.
oh wait, they don’t.
Another terrible signing by a terrible franchise. The fans in Baltimore deserve a decent team.
He is a poster boy for the young prospects to not emulate
Why on earth would any team sign this trainwreck? He’s been a horrible pitcher ever since Thoracic Outlet surgery and a horrible human being long before that. Faultimote can have him, although I’ve no idea what for.
He is not an innings ‘eater’. He is an innings prolonger. As a Met fan, I saw him at his short peak. When he was injured after 2015, he immediately became what you call ‘washed up’ upon his return. I agree with what some have said,let some young rookie have a chance. But the Orioles are clearly a last place team in that division either way.