Mired in last place in the American League West, the Texas Rangers may look to bolster their scuffling pitching staff with a famously distressed asset.

According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, the Rangers have mild trade interest in beleaguered right-hander Matt Harvey, the one-time All-Star who was designated for assignment by the New York Mets over the weekend. Dan Warthen, who took over as the Rangers' assistant pitching coach in November, was the Mets' pitching coach during Harvey's best years in New York.

Over the last three seasons, however, Harvey hasn't been able to replicate his early-career success following both Tommy John and thoracic outlet syndrome surgeries, stumbling to a 5.93 ERA over 212 1/3 innings since the start of 2016. The 29-year-old had endured a miserable start to his 2018 campaign, too, posting a 7.00 ERA across four starts and four relief appearances before being DFA'd on Sunday.

The Mets now have until next week to either trade or release Harvey, who refused to be assigned to the minor leagues. (Players with more than five years of MLB service time can reject an outright assignment to the minors.)

With the Rangers, Harvey could provide assistance to either the rotation or bullpen: They need help in both departments. Collectively, the Rangers' six starters - Cole Hamels, Mike Minor, Doug Fister, Matt Moore, Bartolo Colon, and Martin Perez (currently out with an elbow injury) - own a 5.20 ERA through the first five weeks of the season, and their relievers have been unreliable, as well, posting a 4.68 ERA with the second-most meltdowns (23) in the AL.

The Rangers aren't averse to reclamation projects, either. In March, they signed veteran right-hander Tim Lincecum - who last pitched in the big leagues in August 2016 - to a minor-league deal.