When the New York Mets went to the World Series in 2015, their starting rotation featured not one, but two superheros. With his Dark Knight persona, Matt Harvey had long staked his claim as a fan favorite in Gotham and he was joined by a budding star in rookie Noah Syndergaard.

Then a 22-year-old top prospect, Syndergaard hit the ground running in 2015, dazzling the baseball world with his 100+ mph fastball. With his towering 6’6″ frame and flowing blond locks, Syndergaard became the all-mighty Thor to Mets fans.

Despite their larger-than-life alter egos, Harvey and Syndergaard have been overshadowed by the starting pitcher that enters each game to the tune of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”.

Jacob deGrom is the reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner with the nine-figure contract. Meanwhile Harvey’s career has been derailed due to injuries and lack of performance and Syndergaard is set to go under the knife himself, as he now needs Tommy John surgery.

However the departure of Syndergaard from the Mets rotation does open the door for an entertaining hypothetical scenario to play out.

The Return of the Dark Knight.

Before we entertain this conversation, it is important to note how unlikely it would be for the Mets to make this move for obvious reasons. Due to the additions of both Michael Wacha and Rick Porecello in free agency, the Mets still feature five-man rotation even with the loss of Syndergaard.

Also let’s not overlook the massive distraction that Harvey would bring to the clubhouse and the fact that the two sides didn’t necessarily leave things on the best of terms when they split in 2018.

Harvey is also coming off a particularly terrible season, making just 12 starts with the Los Angeles Angels before being released. Across 59 2/3 innings, Harvey struck out just 39 batters and pitched to a 7.09 ERA.

Still, few stories of redemption would be more entertaining than seeing Harvey get his career back on track wearing the blue and orange.

Just this past week, Harvey released a video of him pitching a bullpen that clearly indicated a desire to return to the mound.

At this stage it is clear that no team is signing Harvey to a major league deal, so his only path back is through the minors. If Harvey is willing to set his ego aside and sign a minor league contract, why not take a flier on him?

It has been a decade since the Mets selected Harvey with the seventh overall pick out of UNC. The familiarity he has with the organization could be the best place for Harvey to work his way back to once again being a major league pitcher.

Harvey could return to work with some of the coaches that know him best, such as Phil Regan who coached him back in 2011. Regan was the pitching coach for the St. Lucie Mets, where Harvey started the season and pitched to a 2.84 ERA across 14 starts before being promoted to Double-A.

If Harvey found his way back to the big leagues, his pitching coach would be Jeremy Hefner, who was also his teammate in 2012 and 2013.

The starting pitching depth that once existed for the Mets just evaporated with Syndergaard’s injury. Between the injury history of Wacha and Steven Matz, New York could add some insurance by bringing in another veteran starter to plant in Triple-A. If he is willing to do it, Harvey could fill that role.

Bringing things full circle and signing Harvey in 2020 is probably more fun to think about than it would be in reality. Still, what fun would a New York Mets rotation be without a single super hero?

That is a reality we haven’t lived with since the Dark Knight first rose in 2012…