Jon Heyman of MLB Network noted on a recent podcast that former Mets pitcher Matt Harvey had a tryout with the Blue Jays earlier in the offseason. The Blue Jays ultimately decided to pass on signing Harvey and he’s still currently a free agent.
Harvey, 30, signed a one-year, $11 million guaranteed deal with the Angels for the 2019, but was released by them on July 21 after posting a 7.09 ERA in 59 2/3 innings.
The former All-Star would then sign a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics in August. He pitched for their Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, making three starts and two relief appearances. He had a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 11.1 K/9 over 17 innings.
Harvey was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft by the Mets. The right-hander made quick work of the minor leagues, making his Major League debut with the Mets on July 26, 2012. He became the first player in modern baseball history to strike out at least 10 batters and get two hits in his big league debut. Matt closed out his first season with a 2.73 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings.
Then at 24-years old he was one of the best pitchers in the game posting a 2.27 ERA, league-best 2.01 FIP, and league-best 0.4 HR/9 with the Mets in 178 1/3 innings. He was the starting pitching for National League All-Star squad at Citi Field, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. But, before he could finish off the terrific season, bad news hit. He was shut down late in the season and ultimately had Tommy John Surgery in October.
After missing the entire 2014 season, the Dark Knight was ready to rise again in 2015. He was fantastic for the Mets with a 2.71 ERA and 4.8 fWAR over 29 starts. Harvey came up big in the playoffs as well, allowing only two runs in five innings in a Game 3 NLDS win over the Dodgers then giving up just two runs in seven innings against the Cubs in the NLCS.
Harvey would pitch in Game 1 of the World Series and leave after six innings with the game tied at 3-3. On the brink of elimination in Game 5 against the Royals, Harvey was on the hill for the Mets. He was spectacular through eight innings of shutout ball. When the Dark Knight walked out to the mound for the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead, the crowed when nuts and shook the place like it was still Shea Stadium.
Unfortunately, what could’ve been an all-time performance ended in distraught as Harvey was left in too long and the Mets ended up losing in extra innings. That night in Flushing, Mets fans got the chance to see Harvey at his best, but also as the Dark Knight for the final time.
Harvey struggled from the start in 2016, not having his normal movement or command of his pitches. Finally – after posting a 4.86 ERA in 17 games – it was announced that Matt would need season-ending surgery to resolve thoracic outlet syndrome.
The 2017 season was more of the same for Harvey, he had a 6.70 in 92 2/3 innings and missed a portion of the season after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his scapula.
Harvey’s time in New York was coming to a halt in 2018, he had a 6.00 ERA in his first four starts before being moved to the bullpen. In May, he was designated for assignment and ultimately traded to the Reds for struggling catcher Devin Mesoraco. He was certainly better with the Reds – 4.50 ERA in 128 innings – but he was still only striking out 7.8 per nine innings and allowed more hits than innings pitched.
Matt Harvey is now a free agent in March looking to get a minor league deal from any team willing to give him a shot. It’s sad to see what kind of damage something like thoracic outlet syndrome can do to a once-promising career.
