The Nationals acquired Harvey, 29, a first-round draft pick in 2013 who has a lengthy injury history, off waivers in March 2022 in hopes that he could contribute to their relief corps. Harvey has stayed healthy for the most part and developed into one of the Nationals’ top relief pitchers, posting a 3.17 ERA with 162 strikeouts in 138 games and 145 innings over two and a half seasons. While usually acting as a setup man for Kyle Finnegan, he also recorded 10 saves.
Harvey started the season well but struggled over the past month, pitching in 43 games with a 4.20 ERA. Either way, the trade was an organizational win for the Nationals, who made a low-risk waiver claim on Harvey to make him available for trade fodder.
And they probably aren’t done yet. Barring injuries, outfielder Jesse Winker and relief pitcher Dylan Floro are likely to be traded before the July 30 deadline. Outfielder Lane Thomas is another option, but it’s not a sure thing. Finnegan could also be a candidate, but like Thomas, he has one more year of team control.
Third baseman Wallace He is the Royals’ No. 2 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline.He missed more than a month after injuring his oblique muscle in late May but returned on June 27 during a rehab assignment with Kansas City’s rookie baseball team. He suffered a setback after being hit by a pitch that fractured his ribs on July 6 and has not played since. Wallace, a 2022 second-round draft pick from Arkansas, batted .282 with a .777 OPS, three home runs and 16 RBIs in 34 games for Class AA Northwest Arkansas.
The trade gives the Nationals three picks on the first night of the draft: 10th, 39th and 44th. The 39th pick has a slot value of $2.395 million and increases the Nationals’ bonus pool to $13.895 million. The only picks available for trade are the competitive balance picks (six after the first round and eight after the second round this year).
The Nationals plan to bring back right-hander Amos Willingham to take Harvey’s roster spot, a person familiar with the team’s plans said. Willingham, 25, posted a 4.54 ERA in 32 games with Class AAA Rochester. He appeared in 18 games for the Nationals last year.
