Mets potential trade? Matt Harvey for Gerrit Cole

Not too long ago, people around baseball thought that Matt Harvey and Gerrit Cole would compete for the Cy Young Award year in and year out.

Harvey burst onto the scene with the Mets in 2012 and quickly became one of the best pitchers in baseball. In 2013 he posted a 2.27 ERA and started the All-Star Game at Citi Field.

He missed September of 2013 and all of 2014 due to Tommy John surgery. He came back in 2015 without missing a beat, going 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA in the regular season.

The 216 total innings that Harvey pitched in 2015, including the playoffs, are the most any pitcher has ever thrown coming off the procedure.

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But, Harvey has not been the same since.

Cole also had a notable start to his career.

After being picked first overall in the 2011 draft by the Pirates, Cole made his MLB debut in June of 2013.

He went 10-7 and pitched to a 3.22 ERA in his rookie season and followed that up with a 2014 record of 11-5.

In 2015 Cole had his best year, winning 19 games and finishing fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

But both Harvey and Cole fell off in 2016, putting up poor numbers and having their seasons cut short due to injuries.

Cole went 7-10 and had an ERA of 3.88 but a WHIP of 1.44 in 116 innings. He was originally placed on the disabled list in June with a right triceps strain.

After his return from that injury he went 2-6 with a 5.48 ERA the rest of the season. He went back on the DL on August 29 for inflammation in his elbow.

He came back to make one start in September before being shut down.

Harvey was far worse, going 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA and a WHIP of 1.47 in 92.2 innings before being shut down in July to undergo surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome.

2017 has been the worst season both of these pitchers have had in a major league uniform.

Harvey, who is currently on the DL after being diagnosed with a stress injury to the scapula bone in his right arm, has an ERA over 5 and Cole’s sits at 4.54.

The majority of Mets fans have had enough of Harvey. Between the lack of ability to get hitters out and his off-the-field antics, which include a suspension for skipping a game, the team’s supporters would welcome a trade with open arms.

Both of these pitchers need a change of scenery.

Which is why the Mets and Pirates should discuss a trade involving the two fallen aces.

There is still talent left in these two right arms. The stuff is still there.

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Jake Arrieta, Ivan Nova, and Jean Segura are just a few players who have benefited from a change of scenery.

It might be what Cole and Harvey need to get their careers back on track.

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