Callaway Believes in Harvey

by Tim Reilly December 13, 2017

What a difference a (dark k)night makes.

After the Mets reportedly had trade discussions involving Matt Harvey on Monday, Sandy Alderson changed his tune. That’s because, while believers in Harvey are harder and harder to come by, manager Mickey Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland appear to be two that remain.

Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland want Matt Harvey in a Mets uniform. GM Sandy Alderson is listening to them.

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) December 12, 2017

“The most important things I’m weighing is the opinions of Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland and they don’t want to lose [Harvey],” Alderson said at the winter meetings. “Everything else is moot.”

The Mets doubled down their focus on pitching with the hiring of Callaway, and his experience working with pitchers is sure to be a plus, but the potential of him connecting with Harvey is what has me most intrigued.

The relationship between Terry Collins and Harvey always felt strained. I just felt that they were never on the same page. That led to a continuous series of ups and downs that left us where we stand today – with a “broken” Matt Harvey. I'm not blaming Harvey's struggled on Terry, but I don't think the relationship helped.

But Callaway instilling complete and total confidence in Harvey is a good first step in the healing process. If Callaway and Eiland truly can turn this around, maybe there’s still hope for the Dark Knight in Gotham.

I might be naïve here, but we know what Harvey once was, and we know what Harvey has been for the last two seasons. No one can say for certain what the Mets will get out of Harvey in his walk year, but I do know is that he will be in the hands of two coaches who believe they can fix him. Confidence is contagious, and a confident Matt Harvey is a dangerous Matt Harvey.

Sandy has reminded us on several occasions that baseball is part of the entertainment business. If you look at it that way, Harvey is clearly the most entertaining player on the roster. He’s a walking back-page headline, for both the right and wrong reasons.

So if this is your last season in Queens, Matt, there’s still time left to write your final back page. You've lived long enough to see yourself become a villain. Now, claim your redemption.

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