4 potential non-tender candidates the Pittsburgh Pirates should keep an eye on

Jun 4, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning (33) throws during the fourth nning against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
Jun 4, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning (33) throws during the fourth nning against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images | Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
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Hunter Harvey

Hunter Harvey broke out with the Washington Nationals, pitching to a 3.17 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 1.08 WHIP for the Washington Nationals. Throughout the 145 innings he pitched for the Nats, Harvey struck out 27.8% of batters with a walk rate of only 6.4%. He was also not home run prone, only allowing a dozen dingers for a 0.75 HR/9 rate. 

Harvey’s strong numbers with the Nats made him a prime trade candidate this past July. He had proven himself as a high-leverage reliever across two and a half seasons. That led to him getting traded to the Kansas City Royals, but things quickly went awry for Harvey after the trade.

The right-hander would pitch 5.2 very poor innings for the Royals before landing on the 10-day injured list with mid-back tightness in early August. That would be the only innings Harvey would appear on the mound in a Royals uniform, as he was not activated off the IL in September or during the Royals’ playoff run.

Harvey’s time in Kansas City didn’t go according to plan, but if the Royals were to non-tender him, he’d be a prime rebound candidate for 2024. After all, he was pitching well as late as the first half of this past season. Coming off a down season, Harvey could be a huge low-risk/high-reward candidate if the Royals move on from the righty reliever.

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