New York's biggest baseball story of the weekend didn't revolve around a big home run, a clutch strikeout or a fancy fielding play. It came off the field as first agent Scott Boras and then his prize client Matt Harvey gave the Mets a clear indication that he had no interest in exceeding 180 innings of work for the year. Instead of working out a season-limit early in the year, as the Nationals imposed for Stephen Strasburg a few years ago -- which derailed them in post-season when their ace was sitting it out -- Harvey and Boras let the Mets know with just four weeks left in the year that he wanted to stop... apparently overlooking its impact on the club's chances to win its division or go far in October. Almost as if "team Harvey" had sucker-punchetried to pull the rug out from under the Mets, when they were finally sniffing the playoffs for the first time since 2006. And think of what this media frenzy has done to Harvey's reputation? Is he really a tough guy? A team-first player? Lots of doubts have arisen.
Sunday, using an article in
The Players Tribune, Harvey attempted to walk back some of his (and his agent's) words, stressing that he would pitch in the playoffs -- but gave no clue what he might be willing to do these final four weeks of the regular season.
The timing couldn't be worse -- the Mets were tripped up in Miami, losing two of three, while the Nats got hot against the feeble Braves. With their lead down to four games and a showdown series with the Nationals beginning today (Monday), the last thing the Mets need is to have the pitcher they built up as their stopper ready to step aside.
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