Being a blogger, I have a lot of connections to fan resources when it comes to the Mets, whether it be Twitter conversation, Facebook groups, or other modes of social correspondence.
Lately, I have noticed an alarming trend, where some fans appear ready to move on from Matt Harvey in the hopes that he could get us the impact bat or two that we’re missing. That method couldn’t be any more wrong.
Harvey is the lynchpin of the pitching staff, as we have to remember that he’s just a matter of months removed from the most devastating injury a pitcher can come off of. His elbow has been rebuilt, and now he’s trying to find the consistency and brilliance he had upon his debut in Flushing. In the beginning of the year, it looked like the old Matt Harvey hadn’t missed a beat, but he’s had some hiccups since, which undoubtedly have made many fans nervous. While understandable, we need to realize Rome wasn’t rebuilt overnight.
Now, with my allegiance to Harvey also lies the allegiances to Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler. I’d also keep guys like Rafael Montero, barring he doesn’t need surgery, around too, because depth is always your friend. As we saw with Wheeler this year, you never know how the injury bug is going to inflict your ball club. Depth in their system has allowed the Mets to stay above water, but we all know it’s torturous at the same time, because we all know true greatness may be only one or two big bats away.
Everyone wants to make a trade, but are you willing to overpay for anything other than a sure thing? Giancarlo Stanton is signed long-term and Troy Tulowitzki is a huge injury risk. Ben Zobrist is versatile, but will be a free agent at season’s end and Todd Frazier, currently in the middle of a career season, will surely cost a boatload.
So what’s the course of action? I would try to acquire depth guys on offense, someone with speed and also maybe try to get a bit of help for the back of the bullpen. If the Mets could acquire guys like Zobrist and Tyler Clippard without surrendering one of the big four (remember, Wheeler is injured), then maybe you wake the move.
Listen, I get that many people are worried that Harvey, who grew up a Yankee fan and even attended Derek Jeter’s farewell game at the Stadium, could be Bronx-bound once his Mets’ deal is up, but I honestly believe they will lock him up long-term before that becomes a serious concern. Harvey has already had one surgery, so ensuring his future should be first and foremost in his list of priorities.
Before we focus on years down the line, let’s focus on the here and now, because this team could have the ingredients brewing to cook something special. We’ll have to wait and see.
