It was a foregone conclusion that pitcher Matt Harvey probably had some ill feelings toward the New York Mets, his former team.
While he didn’t just come out and say that on Tuesday night, he got as close as one possibly could without actually saying that he wants no part of the Queens-based franchise.
Speaking with the Athletic’s C. Trent Rosencrans, Harvey, who now plays with the Cincinnati Reds, addressed his outlook heading into free agency this winter:
Matt Harvey said he was open to just about anything in free agency, but… “There’s only one team out there I would not sign with, that’s about it.”
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) September 26, 2018
If I were a betting man, I think I’d put my money on the team that plays at Citi Field and wears blue and orange as the one he would not sign with.
The 29-year-old spent six-plus seasons with the Mets in a tenure that began with such promise and ended in disgrace.
Making his debut in 2012, Harvey showed the promise of becoming one of the most electrifying pitchers in all of baseball, going 12-10 with a 2.39 ERA and 261 strikeouts in 36 starts from 2012-2013.
His fast start culminated with the honor of him starting the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field before his season ended in disaster as he had to undergo Tommy John surgery.
After missing the entire 2014 campaign, Harvey came back only to be hampered by injuries and off-field issues.
Matt Harvey and his Mets troubles
In 2015, he returned to an innings limit that provided the first cracks of his relationship with the Mets. While he and agent Scott Boras implored that he be limited, the Mets were chasing the National League pennant and needed one of their top arms for the stretch run.
Harvey would pitch in the postseason and is best remembered for pitching Game 5, going eight strong innings and begging manager Terry Collins to out for the ninth with a 2-0 lead. He allowed a walk and a double before being relieved by Jeurys Familia. The Mets would go onto lose the game and the World Series in extra innings that night.
The following season was cut short once again after he was forced to undergo surgery to relieve complications that came with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which included the loss of feeling in his hands. One of Harvey’s ribs had to be removed in order to mend the issues.
He came back a completely different pitcher, one that basically had to re-learn how to throw a baseball. It showed as he accumulated a 6.80 ERA 27 starts from 2017 to the beginning of 2018.
While he struggled, Harvey maintained the defiant, confrontational attitude that landed him in hot water with the organization throughout his stint with the Mets.
When the team attempted to send him down to the minors in May, management designated him for assignment and shortly after traded him to the Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco.
In 24 starts with the Reds this year he’s 7-7 with a 4.50 ERA.
Sure, he might not want to come back to the Mets, but Mets fans probably don’t want him anywhere near Queens anytime soon.
