The New York Mets have traded RHP Matt Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for catcher Devin Mesoraco and cash, the team announced on Twitter. In corresponding moves, the team placed Todd Frazier on the 10-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, and to make room on the 40-man roster, they’ve moved Anthony Swarzak to the 60-day disabled list.
Mesoraco, 29, is in the last year of a four-year contract and is owed $13.125 million this season. The Reds will be paying the remainder of his contract while the Mets will be paying the remainder of Matt Harvey’s $5.625 million contract per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
An All Star in 2014, Mesoraco has never played in more than 114 games in a season, playing in just 95 total in three seasons from 2015-2017. Due to his injuries and poor performance, he has lost the starting job to 2017 NL Gold Glove winner Tucker Barnhart. He will get plenty of playing time with the Mets who, until they make a move, have three catchers on the 25-man roster.
So far in 2018, he has played in 18 games slashing .220/.289/.341 with one home run, two doubles and three RBIs. He was in the starting lineup for the Reds this evening, but as the Mets are playing in Cincinnati tonight, he will just switch dugouts and is available to play for the Mets.
Defensively, Mesoraco is ranked 58th of 73 according to Baseball Prospectus. He has thrown out 22% of potential base-stealers this season (2 CS, 7 SB) and has thrown out 25% for his career. In that same ranking, Tomas Nido slides in at #34 and Jose Lobaton sits at #41. Nido had been slated to start behind the dish, and as of yet there is no reason to think that will change.
Matt Harvey is now, officially, no longer a New York Met. Goodbye Matt, thanks for the memories!
