{"id":5786,"date":"2017-05-10T19:28:57","date_gmt":"2017-05-10T23:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=5786"},"modified":"2017-05-10T19:28:57","modified_gmt":"2017-05-10T23:28:57","slug":"matt-harvey-trade-cubs-bad-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2017\/05\/10\/matt-harvey-trade-cubs-bad-idea\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Harvey Trade to the Cubs is a Bad Idea"},"content":{"rendered":"

Might the Cubs Explore a Matt Harvey<\/a><\/strong> Trade?<\/h3>\n

Tom Baffoe wrote a brilliant article for Chicago CBS local<\/a> on May 10, wondering why the Chicago Cubs have not called the New York Mets about Harvey. He makes some wonderful points about the Cubs rotation floundering. Jake Arrieta<\/a><\/strong> is having control issues. Brett Anderson<\/a><\/strong> lasted one-third of an inning in his last start. With the rotation issues, Joe Maddon<\/a><\/strong> has relied on his bullpen to get through games. After the recent 18-inning marathon stretched an already over-taxed pen, the Cubs pitching is thin. He thinks that a Matt Harvey trade to the\u00a0Cubs is a solid plan to help the club.<\/p>\n

Recent Moves and Prospects<\/h3>\n

The Cubs designated Matt Szczur<\/a><\/strong> for assignment to make room on the roster for a bullpen arm, in the form of\u00a0Rob Zastryzny<\/a><\/strong>. They then traded Szczur to the San Diego Padres for Double-A arm\u00a0Justin Hancock<\/a><\/strong>. Baffoe suggests that the Cubs look to stretch middle relief pitcher Mike Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> for a rotation position. Zastryzny started a single game last season, and appeared in the 18-inning game against the Yankees this year. Eddie Butler<\/a><\/strong> is another prospect currently on the 40-man roster. He shows the potential to be the next member of the Cubs rotation. In short, the Cubs have the tools necessary in their farm system.<\/p>\n

Harvey’s Woes<\/h3>\n

Baffoe suggests going after Harvey because he believes that the Cubs pitching coach and staff can save him. He has a couple of solid points. The Mets have what appears to be one of the most toxic clubhouses in the majors. Players do not seek or receive proper treatment<\/a>, and wind up on the disabled list. Beyond that, can Chicago justify trading any asset for Harvey? Harvey finished a three-game ban for violation of team rules – he did not come to the ballpark the day before his scheduled start. He told the team he had a migraine, but the truth came out that he was hungover from an all-night bender the night before. Before the announcement that it was for being hungover, there were reports that Harvey had violated many rules<\/a> over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n

What the Cubs Should Do<\/h3>\n

Maddon and his staff have the amazing ability to deal with troubled players. Arrieta was a reclamation project. Jon Lester<\/a><\/strong> needs special treatment from his catchers to help keep his head in the game. Harvey is currently 2-2 in six starts with an ERA of 5.14 over 35 innings, and a WHIP of 1.286. His WHIP is superior to John Lackey<\/a><\/strong>‘s by a solid tenth of a point. He shows the potential to be a fifth or sixth starter in a rotation. The days of being the Dark Knight are long behind him.<\/p>\n

But what would be the cost? The Mets have toyed with the idea of sending Harvey to Triple-A, according to Baffoe. Would they be open to something like sending Hancock to the Las Vegas 51s in return for Harvey’s services? The Mets could\u00a0demand names like Javier Baez<\/a><\/strong>, Ian Happ<\/a><\/strong>, or Jeimer Candelario<\/a><\/strong> for the damaged pitcher. Does Theo Epstein want to try to repair what is a very damaged pitcher at this point? Especially with the current pitching woes in Chicago, even making the call to inquire about Harvey may be too much of a move. Making the call would make them seem desperate. In this case, let the Mets call the Cubs if they want to try to move Harvey.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n