Mets DFA Matt Harvey after he refused minor league assignment
The Dark Knight has fallen.
BREAKING: Sandy Alderson said the Mets asked Matt Harvey today to go to the minors.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) May 4, 2018
Harvey refused.
The Mets are designating Matt Harvey for assignment tomorrow.
Good riddance.
I'm sorry, but I have zero sympathy for Matt Harvey's situation. Injuries may have precipitated his fall, but his actions exacerbated it, and this latest refusal to accept his place in this team's hierarchy is the absolute final straw.
To paraphrase my friend, The Athletic's Marc Carig, Harvey always felt like he was better than everyone; too much of a star to pitch in relief (like Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman happily embraced), too posh to rehab in Port St. Lucie (like Dillon Gee and practically every other Mets pitcher had done in a similar situation). And this latest show of selfishness, a refusal to try and figure things out at Triple-A (like Zack Wheeler just did, like Steve Trachsel did back in 2001), is just the latest in a tale of the supernova that has become Harvey's career.
It certainly began to feel like the Mets and Harvey had reached a point of no return. He cursed out reporters. He pouted in every relief appearance he made. He went out on the town in Los Angeles...while the team was in San Diego (a five-hour round trip). His actions didn't show any respect for the teammates he was supposed to be working with, or the manager and pitching coach that went to bat for him in the offseason. None of it mattered to him, and he showed that with every frown, every late night, and now, every resistance to be the best New York Met he could be.
There will be plenty of post-mortem on Harvey's Mets career in the coming days from scribes all across the Internet. How he exploded on the scene with sheer dominance. How 2013 was a revelation, and how -- in 2015 -- he pushed himself to throw the most innings ever by a pitcher who was returning from Tommy John surgery. How he tried to will his team across the finish line in a must-win Game 5 of the World Series. But on this day, right now, there seems to be one truth about this move:
For the New York Mets, cutting ties with Matt Harvey is addition by subtraction.
My, how the mighty have fallen.
Also in The 7 Line Blog
T7LRC RUN DC FUN RUN
We're kicking the day off on Saturday April 26th with some miles around DC. Start your morning off on a positive foot, then sightsee or do whatever else you have planned before the Mets/T7LA pre-game party. We picked a slightly shorter route than our usual fun runs. JOIN US!
Pregame With The 7 Line Army In The K Korner!
Swing by the K Korner on Tuesday April 22nd before the Mets take on the Phillies. If you're sitting with us or not, you can enjoy discounted Montauk draft beers by rocking T7L merch to the bar.
This isn't the Bronx. Don't do this, Mets fans.
Listen, I too was an idiot from time to time. Have one or two extra beers and do some dumb shit I probably shouldn't have. Last season we were the Team Of Fun. Let's be that. Certainly not this.
Brian Erni
Author