The Los Angeles Angels have made a one-year $11 million deal for free agent starter Matt Harvey. MLB's Ken Rosenthal has said that Harvey could make $14 million next season with performance bonuses. Harvey ended up drawing interest from several teams during his entrance into free agency this winter.

MLB Daily Dish reports that Harvey is heading to Los Angeles in hopes of rebooting his career. Harvey was previously traded from the New York Mets to the Cincinnati Reds last season. Early on in his career with the Mets, he was named an All-Star in 2013 and helped them win the National League pennant in 2015.

Matt Harvey was a star in New York but off-field antics cost him

He made his presence known during the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field when he outpitched Washington National's star hurler Stephen Strasburg. Mets fans began chanting "Harvey's better." Harvey ended up being suspended by the Mets for skipping a game without permission.

Matt Harvey was traded by the Mets after having a series of disagreements. Harvey balked at his demotion to the bullpen. Harvey ended up missing the 2016 season due to Tommy John surgery. Since then, his performance has continued to decline, mainly because of injuries. Since 2016, he has recorded a 5.39 ERA in 68 games.

Matt Harvey deal points to the Angels need for a stronger bullpen

The contract speaks to the Angels need for a stronger bullpen. The Angels are forced to work without Shohei Ohtani and J.C. Ramirez because of Tommy John surgery. Los Angeles was desperate to add more innings this free agency period. Los Angeles still has on hand Matt Shoemaker, Nick Tropeano, Andrew Heaney and Tyler Skaggs.

Beyond those hurlers, the remaining are young and unproven. They will be competing for a rotation spot this spring training. Los Angeles posted a 4.34 ERA last season, putting them at 19th in the MLB.

Matt Harvey was actually originally selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2007 draft, but decided to go to North Carolina, and ended up being taken seventh overall by the Mets in 2010.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, The Angels had also reached out to J.A. Happ, who decided to return to the Yankees, and Patrick Corbin, who ended up signing a massive $140 million contract with the Nationals. The Angels are now waiting to see whether this deal is worth the money they spent. With a man like Harvey, plagued by injuries, many speculate that his strong performances are over, and now they're faced with a guy just getting by.
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