Chicago Cubs largely quiet on Day One of the Winter Meetings

Mets’ Matt Harvey could be gone by week’s end

For some time, the New York Mets and right-hander Matt Harvey have maintained a semi-tenuous relationship. Based on reports, it looks like, with one year left on his deal, he may be done in the Big Apple.

Harvey, 28, once appeared poised to be one of the game’s best starting pitchers. Instead, he’s faded badly over the past two seasons. Since 2016, the righty owns a 4.92 FIP, 71 ERA+ and 1.581 WHIP across 185 1/3 innings of work.  That body of work looks vastly different from his first three big-league seasons.

In that stretch, Harvey pitched to a 2.53 earned run average and 146 ERA+ in 427 frames. Of course, this lined up with the Mets’ emergence as a promising threat in the NL East. Injuries took their toll and what looked like a historic rotation has never found its rhythm since.

Both the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles have been connected to Harvey Monday. Texas is in heavy on the starting pitching market – with links to virtually every starter out there. This includes former Cubs hurler Jake Arrieta and Chicago target Alex Cobb, as well.

Baltimore, meanwhile, is notorious for being cautious on long-term commitments to starters – or pitchers in general. A one-year flyer on someone like Harvey makes a lot of sense for a team in need of quality arms.