New York Mets: Matt Harvey reunion unnecessary

The New York Mets pitching depth will be tested this season. However, that does not mean they should consider a reunion with Matt Harvey.

The season has yet to begin, and already the New York Mets pitching depth is being tested. Noah Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery, and will miss the season when it eventually begins. The decision to add both Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha seems brilliant in retrospect, as the rotation had enough depth to withstand such a loss.

However, with that loss, the Mets pitching depth is suddenly a lot thinner. Should another starter be lost due to injury, that would push the likes of Corey Oswalt, Stephen Gonsalves, or, potentially, Jordan Humphries into a roll they are not equipped for. That depth, which looked so strong just a couple of weeks ago, is now thin.

Fortunately, there are still some interesting arms available in free agency. While none of those pitchers are likely to be the type that would lead to a winning season, they could hold down the back of the rotation for a few spot starts, allowing the Mets to get healthy. One of those names happens to be a former Met – Matt Harvey.

There had been a time when Harvey appeared to be the next Mets ace. He was a force on their 2015 NL Championship squad, posting a 13-8 record with a 2.71 ERA and a 1.019 WHiP. In his 189.1 innings, he struck out 188 batters with 37 walks. He seemed destined to be their next star.

Instead, Harvey became a disaster. Between his attitude issues, injuries, and expanding waistline, his fall from being the toast of New York to a disgrace seemingly overnight. He was sent to the Reds, where he briefly appeared to resurrect his career, before flaming out spectacularly with the Angels.

There has not been much chatter about Harvey this offseason, even on a minor league deal. The Blue Jays reportedly considered him but chose to move on. Aside from that brief flirtation, there has been nothing but crickets.

For the Mets, that should not change. The way that Harvey left the franchise, and the disastrous end to his tenure, still stick in the minds of the fanbase. He seemingly has nothing left, his potential lost due to injuries and his own refusal to acknowledge what everyone saw. Maybe he has finally faced himself in the mirror and realized that everything needs to change, but that is not a risk the Mets need to take.

Yes, the New York Mets need to find more depth for their rotation when the season begins anew. But bringing Matt Harvey back is not the move they need to make.