Yankees trading Neil Walker for Matt Harvey makes sense

The clock is ticking for the Mets who DFA’d their former ace, Matt Harvey, on Cinco de Mayo. The team now has seven days to trade Harvey, or he becomes a free agent on May 12th. Will the Yankees have any interest?

Doc Gooden, David Cone, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez and Al Leiter are some notable names of pitchers that have taken the mound for both the Yankees and their crosstown rivals, the Mets.

It’s entirely possible we could see Matt Harvey’s name added to that list; if and that’s is a big if, “The Dark Knight” promises be on his best behavior.

As reported by Sean Fennessey of The Ringer:

Harvey was designated for assignment Friday, essentially untethered from the Mets team that selected him seventh overall in the 2010 MLB draft. Harvey has been the living embodiment of Mets fandom since his first start, a hair-raising, 11-strikeout performance against the Diamondbacks in 2012.

It will be challenging for the Mets to find a trade partner for Harvey — what, with $4.5 million due,  and his 6.00 ERA thus far on the season. The Yankees might be in a similar situation with Neil Walker and his $4.5 million salary and .189 batting average.

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Remember the Yankees’ thou shall stay under the luxury tax commandment still rings true. Cashman has made no secret about his desire to have some flexibility to make moves around the midway point of the season.

Sending Walker back to the Mets for Harvey wouldn’t lessen the current payroll, but a straight-up swap also wouldn’t involve any prospects, and it would do the trick if the Yankees truly desire an experienced arm to reinforce the starting rotation following Jordan Montgomery injury.

Trading Walker now would also take care of the Yanks’ own pending DFA situation once Brandon Drury, and Greg Bird returns to action. The organization may end up swallowing all $4.5 million of Walker’s salary anyway, so why not get something for him while you can?

Acquiring Harvey would also allow the Yanks to gradually stretch out Domingo German, who was dominant for six innings on Sunday afternoon. Despite striking out nine batters, German was pulled in the midst of a no-hitter because he’s on a pitch count following extensive time out of the bullpen.

Of course, signing Harvey as a free agent would stick his former club with all that salary. The risk is not knowing how big of interest if any, there exists throughout the majors. Other clubs like the Giants, Angels and Dodgers might jump in because of their own rotation needs.

Next: Will Andrew Miller return to the Yankees in 2019?

Something good might very well come out of it for both the Mets and Yankees. That’s if Sandy and Brian get on the phone.