Since allowing just one hit across five innings of work against the Phillies in his season debut, Matt Harvey has seemingly reverted back to his 2017 form. He’s allowed at least four earned runs in each of his last three starts, lasting just five innings in two of them. While it’s a good sign that Harvey’s walk rate is down, he’s been prone to the long ball (four homers allowed so far) and hasn’t been particularly impressive in the strikeouts department (7.29 K/9).
It’s an unfortunate extension of Harvey’s recent track record. Since coming off the disabled list in September of last season, the righty sports a cataclysmic 8.72 ERA, and there aren’t any real reasons for optimism surrounding the 29-year-old’s performance. He’s struck out just 30 batters across 43 1/3 innings of work since that time, and he’s allowed at least four runs in six of his nine starts while lasting more than five innings just once. For those interested in pitcher records, Harvey is 1-6 during that time.
It’s becoming more and more clear with each outing that Harvey seems unlikely to turn things around. He was once among the games elite arms and seemed likely to earn nine figures in his then-distant free agent foray, and although a late-2013 Tommy John surgery put that in serious question, he managed to bounce back with an outstanding 4.4 fWAR campaign in 2015. 2016, however, was the start of a tailspin, and Harvey managed to pitch just 92 2/3 innings in both 2016 and 2017 with just 143 total strikeouts and 119 earned runs allowed. With this season’s terrible start, we’re almost to the point where it’s worth asking the question, “Will Harvey pitch himself out of the majors this season?”
While that seems a bit extreme, the subject of bumping Harvey from the rotation has certainly been broached. Jason Vargas is set to return to the rotation soon, and Harvey’s the obvious candidate to give up his spot if performance is the determining factor. Reporters recently asked Harvey if he’d give his consent to be optioned to the minors (he can’t be optioned without his permission due to his five-year MLB tenure), but he wouldn’t comment on the subject.
A more likely scenario would be for the 14-5 Mets to make Harvey a reliever. For his part, Harvey isn’t thinking about a move to a bullpen, and recently told reporters that he considers himself a starting pitcher. In reality, what Harvey considers himself to be doesn’t really matter if he can’t get outs, so the Mets will have a big decision in the impending days.
Many struggling starters have benefitted greatly from a move to the bullpen, and it doesn’t seem likely at this point that Harvey will revive his career as a starter. However, a miraculous return to his 2013/2015 form would provide the Mets with a huge boost to their seemingly strong playoff chances. What do you think New York should do in regards to their former ace? (Poll link for app users)
Has no trade value but if you cut him, you run the risk of him turning it on with a rival club. Unfortunately, you just have to trot him out there every fifth day and hope he figures it out.
If he pitches like he does now, you want him to go to a rival!
I’d burn him at the stake.
A WITCH!
Yeah!
He turned me into a newt.
He won’t get better
I doubt he’d float
Trade him for the first overall pick of the Rule-5 draft.^
Or is it too late?
With the money he’s owed, probably too late.
I would send him to St. Lucie to get straightened out in warm weather and low key environment.
Harvey in Vegas should star Nicholas Cage.
Reliever. Keep Wheeler in the rotation for now. Harvey relied on his fastball speed at his peak and it’s not there anymore. He needs to learn how to pitch as opposed to throwing at the catcher.
His mechanics are flawed. He’s changed nothing and expects improvement. Unless he’s willing to change, the bullpen is his only option.
It’s a little early for this poll. Vargas isn’t back, and it’s not like Wheeler or Matz have proven that they are 100% better options.
The thing is, if Harvey is capable of at least turning it around enough to be a #5 starter then Mets probably better served in short term keeping him in rotation and sending Wheeler back down to cover them for another injury (or double header) since Gsellman and Lugo are needed where they are, particularly while Swarzak is out.
Either way, Harvey needs to accept he is likely to be in the pen eventually if Mets stay in contention- it also might be his best path in terms of getting paid this offseason.
If it was early for this poll it was only by a few minutes
What should the biggest 2018 overachievers do? Stay put because their luck hopefully runs out soon.
Why over achievers? They are doing this year what everyone expected last year. They r currently healthy!
They have two great pitchers in Noah and Degrom.
Then you look at the offense and you understand they are flawed. Bullpen is not great either.
Bullpen is darn good!
FamilIa, gsellman, lugo, Ramos is pretty good
They will go as Degrom and Syndergaard go, if they keep pitching they will remain in hunt, an injury or turn for either will result in trouble
Punt
Been sayin for two years make him a late inning strong bullpen arm. Can get his mojo back and can revive his career there. Jason izzy did it and so did Wade Davis. Others as well. Andrew miller. He has a better chance at a pay day and a longer more successful career as a bullpen arm with the stuff for potential late inning work. Do it!
First, Harvey is a free agent this year. If he turns it around he is going. If he doesn’t the Mets won’t keep him.
Second, you never see Harvey with any other players on the bench. Always off to himself. Maybe nothing or maybe a sign of how he is seen by his teammates.
Third, Wheeler, since last year when he pitched with a bad arm at the request of the team, has done all asked of him. He has not only pitched better than Harvey since his call back from the minors but better than Matz as well.
And let’s not forget there are two guys in the bullpen pitching better than Harvey and Matz who are also starting pitchers. My point is simple, if the Mets reward someone for failure why should these other guys work hard.
Loyalty to a player is nice but the cost of that loyalty must be considered, especially if the player doesn’t show any loyalty or concern for the good of the team.
If Harvey thinks he is a starter and refuses going to either the bullpen or the minors the Mets should release him and let him try to find a place to start.
lol…. third wheeler
For both the teams sake and his, I think the team should try to talk him into at least a short-term move to the pen for long relief duty. Let him see if he can get right while learning the new role
If he shows improvement after a couple weeks, then think about giving the rotation another shot. If he doesn’t or stomps his feet then option him and let him walk if he so desires. Won’t be around next season anyway, and if his attitude isn’t great about trying to make progress through this struggling period, then he probably isn’t good to have around the rest of the guys anyway.
The difference between Harvey and guys like Miller and Davis is that he doesn’t have that one great pitch to make him a force in the pen. Davis has his cutter, Miller his slider that play up when they are in the pen. What does Harvey have? He has tried to feature that slider a lot more this year, but that pitch has been below average.
Harvey needs to do down to work on hitting his spots. He doesn’t have the stuff anymore to live in the middle of the plate. He isn’t going to learn that pitching out of the pen.
If the Mets were rebuilding like the Marlins are, it’s an easy decision to let him work it out on the mound because the losses don’t matter. However, it’s obvious the Mets are fighting for the playoffs this year. You have to give him the option of continuing to work things out as a starting pitcher in AAA or as a member of the bullpen on the big club. If he wants to do neither, you have to cut ties. I don’t see the dark knight ever returning to his once lofty heights. At best, middle reliever or possibly a closer if he can get some of his velocity back.
Honestly it is sad to see his career go this way. I wonder if his innings in 2015 would have made a difference.
Have a honest conversation with him. If he is not willing to accept bullpen role, trade him. Don’t risk team chemistry since the club is winning.
TOS had nothing to do with his “innings limit”.
I say keep him in the rotation. But then, I’m a Braves fan.
Really seems like a DL candidate, let him “rehab” in St Lucie and make a couple of minor league starts
They should get him a spandex suit, a utility belt and a boy ward with whom he can fight actual crime in New York City.
Harvey becomes an elite bullpen pitcher if he can swallow that pill. TAKE THE RED PILL.
He should go to the bullpen no reason to give up on him. You have a guy managing the team who is a genius when it comes to correcting a pitchers issues and getting them on the right track. Worst case scenario he doesn’t want to listen or doesn’t turn it around and you let him walk. If he rebounds it gives you another option in case of injury.
Release or trade him
trade him to the Reds for catcher meseraco. I would call it an even trade
Harvey has the be the poster child for a change-in-scenery transition. Callaway knows he’s stuck with him for the duration, so he has to get creative and figure out what to do with him. Mets fans have to be ULTRA grateful they don’t have to ride out a long term extension with this guy. If he doesn’t work out in the pen, Mets can cut him loose with no future obligation in years or dollars.
Pretty sure the Orioles will try and make a trade for him seeing as they seriously need pitching. They may be desperate and take a shot
Trade him to the Pirates. He’ll feel right at home with that pitching staff!