The Hot Stove is sizzling up. We're at the point where if it were a pot of water, you would see bubbles start to form. So the talks are coming in hot.
Jon Heyman of FanCred tweeted Wednesday that the A's and the Reds are among teams interested in free agent pitcher Matt Harvey:
the a's and reds are among teams thought to have interest in matt Harvey— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 21, 2018
Harvey finished 2018 with the Reds, compiling a 4.50 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 128 innings. He looked more like his original self now that he was sporting the Reds uniform.
But the A's? Interesting. Interesting indeed. But it's also not an insane idea.
The A's have had many scenarios in the past that have been those buy-low options that turn out to be successful for them. Harvey's average salary is $5.625 million (via Spotrac), and the team has been known to get a bang for their buck. Let's take a look at a few of them.
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Edwin Jackson
Pitcher Edwin Jackson blew out 35 candles on his last birthday cake in September, which sometimes would intimidate people -- especially fans and front offices. But the righty was signed to the A's on a one-year deal for just $1.5 million. And how did that turn out? Well, great.
In 92 innings, he boasted a 3.33 ERA with a 6-3 record and 68 strikeouts. His 6.65 K/9 ratio wasn't the best of his career, but he did only give up 12 long balls.
Trevor Cahill
Seven seasons after being traded away to the D-backs, Trevor Cahill was reunited with the A's -- the team who drafted him in 2006. And it's safe to say it was good for him to be "home." The 30-year-old finished his 2018 campaign with a 3.76 ERA and improved his walk-rate drastically from the previous season. He also accumulated 100 strikeouts in 110 innings.
He too, was signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Rich Hill
The A's recently "celebrated" their anniversary from three years ago when they signed Rich Hill to a one-year, $6 million deal. He's now super successful with the Dodgers and made appearances in two World Series. But there was a time when the A's were the lucky folks to call him their own.
Acquiring Hill was special, but his performance in that singular season not only made A's fans happy, but he was able to laugh in the face of those who perhaps thought his was age was more than a number. The now 38-year-old struck out 150 in 132.2 innings and finished his time in Oakland with an 11-5 record.
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Harvey in a green and gold uniform is not a crazy thing to consider. Especially coming off of a successful season (for both him and the A's) and if the team signs him to a one-year deal, there isn't much risk involved.
(images -- USATSI)
