Mets Fans Are Putting Too Much Emphasis On Harvey's Return

As spring training nears, fan discussion naturally turns towards expectations of the season ahead.  It should come as no surprise that those expectations vary widely.  There are those among us who believe that the Mets have a legitimate shot to contend for a playoff spot.  When you ask those fans what makes them so confident, you will almost undoubtedly hear about the impending return of staff ace, Matt Harvey.  When he toes the rubber for the first time since August 24, 2013, he will do so with much fanfare and an unreasonable expectation that he's the difference maker.

Make no mistake, Harvey is the real deal.  He has the mindset most fans crave out of their peak performers and at a minimum, had the abilities to back it up.  I hope you caught that.  Had...  Because when Harvey does return for the Mets, he will return having had Tommy John surgery. Although that is no longer the bleak fate for pitchers it once was, it still comes with its own special set of uncertainties.

What fans should expect from Harvey is some control issues.  Come April, Harvey's sabbatical from Major League Baseball will have reached twenty months.  That's plenty of time for any pitcher, even one of Harvey's ilk, to have acquired some rust.  Combined that with what has historically been a decrease in velocity in the first year back from Tommy John surgery and Harvey may be much more hitable than the guy we all remember.  This all assumes he makes it through spring training without a setback, of course.

Let us pretend for a minute that Harvey returns to form and takes the mound at Citi Field in full Dark Knight fashion.  The blistering fastball and the hellacious slider on full display.  What then?  I think a fact that's lost on most Mets fans is that in 2013...the season in which Harvey was considered dominant...the season in which he started the all-star game for the National League, the Mets went just 13-13 in the games he started.  No pitcher, regardless of greatness, can lead his team to glory if it doesn't score any runs for him.

I don't mean to infer that Mets fans shouldn't be excited about the return of the team's ace.  At a minimum, the Mets will be a better team on paper with him, than they were last season with him sidelined.  However, there are multiple factors that are well beyond his control.  Factors which will almost certainly play a roll in his 2015.  Will Harvey be great in 2015?  I don't know, but I don't think it makes or breaks the Mets season either way.  I'm not sure any player who only takes the field every fifth day could.  So be happy he's back, but remember there's only so much the Dark Knight can do.

Like what you read?  Catch me on Twitter at @RobPatterson83.

Matt Harvey Will Rehab in NYC...and Also in FL

According to Adam Rubin Matt Harvey will begin his rehab assignment with the club in Queens. Once he is ready for live hitting, he will return to Florida. Per the CBA the Mets really couldn't do anything to prevent him from it and Harvey was kind enough to let the world know the rules to the media.

"After talking with my agent and the Players' Association and going over the CBA rules as a player, you have rights," Harvey recently said. "I want to do what's best for the the organization and best for the rehab process. For me, I've made it clear where I stand"

Well Matt, yes you have made it clear where you stand. But the reporter could have had a typo on the piece about what's best for the organization when in reality it reads like what's best for you. Also reads like he is too good for Florida. It's nice to know he is working very hard not only on his rehab but understanding his rights as a player.

I have to say I just don't get what is going through this guys head. Yes, he is a young superstar with a year and a half under his belt but why is it he seems to just want to go against the grain? Does he think this will do him any favors with the organization? If I owned a team and had this kind of crap going on constantly I am not sure what I would do. Pander to it? Or let him rehab, come back, ride him like a mule Dusty Baker style and trade him right before he finally blew again. His personality combined with Scott Boras is a bad mix.

Just for kicks, I looked up top pitchers returning from Tommy John and a few to name were Wainwright, John Smoltz, Chris Carpenter. I don't recall hearing this kind of noise telling the media what THEY were going to do and all were well into their careers. But I guess the argument is that they aren't the same personality. Still though, all had quite a bit more resume under their belts.

In the end, as another write on this site posted: Matt Harvey cares about Matt Harvey.

Follow me: @jwil25

Matt Harvey Cares About Matt Harvey

Consider this a public service announcement: Matt Harvey isn't resigning with the New York Mets. The writing is already on the wall. Fans should make peace with it ahead of time. If it isn't the inability of the Mets to give him the $200 million dollar contract he covets, it will be the already developing rift between he and the organization.

As I'm sure you've heard by now, Harvey recently brushed off the organization's wishes that he lay low in the media. The next thing he intends to brush off is their wishes that he'll spend the season rehabbing in Florida. Does it really matter whether he throws from 90 feet..then 120 feet..then from a mound in New York as opposed to Florida? No. What matters are his motives.

What does New York City have that Port St. Lucie, Florida doesn't?  How about night life? Models? Most importantly, the New York media. Harvey's demand to rehab in New York has more to do with maintaining his lifestyle and his brand than it does about baseball. That may be fine for those of you who feel he's earned the right to rewrite the rule book, but I suspect it will be those same folks who'd line up to crucify him for a lack of concentration if he struggles upon his return. 

Matt Harvey justifiably shot to superstardom, but he's let it go to his head.  As it stands now, he has pitched just 237 innings, has a grand total of 12 career wins and a surgically reconstructed elbow to his name. There is no telling what he'll have left when he toes the rubber next spring (or later this summer if he has his ill-advised way).  My issue here isn't the idea of Harvey taking advantage of every luxury he's earned in the year and a half he's been in the bigs. It's the hope that he'll avoid the scrutiny that accompanies the growing pains associated with Tommy John surgery.

I expect this post and others remotely like it to be nearly unanimously rejected because its critical of the team's new crowned prince. I remember the backlash over a journeyman knuckleballer with a calm demeanor and an expansive vocabulary.  Fans who think the Mets needs to stop slandering their own are 100% correct.  Its a vicious cycle that needs to be stopped before it causes anymore damage, but this isn't the same.  The team isn't trying to protect itself in this instance, its trying to protect Matt from himself.

Like it or not, Matt Harvey should spend the season in Port St. Lucie with the rest of his teammates rehabbing from whatever ails them.  What will almost assuredly be another very long summer in the big city doesn't need to become the Matt Harvey show. The question remains will he have it any other way?  Will he do what's best for the team or what he thinks is best for Matt Harvey?  If he chooses the latter.. You can rest assured it's already the beginning of the end.

Questions? Comments? Let me know at @RobPatterson83. 

Mets Injury Updates

Ike Davis - As we mentioned earlier, he will sit out today's came after experiencing some calf tightness.  He was only expected to DH in the game.

Matt Harvey -  According to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, Harvey will take the next step in his rehabilitation today.  Harvey is expected to throw both today and tomorrow, marking the first time he's thrown on back to back day since having Tommy John surgery

Ruben Tejada - Ms. Ackert also provided this morning that Ruben Tejada's hamstring feels good enough that he expects to participate in team workouts today in Port St. Lucie.

Eric Young Jr. - According to Marc Carig of NewsDay, Young told the media this morning that he expects to see game action tomorrow after battling an oblique strain for the past week.

Syndergaard Makes Mets Debut

Alright, let's talk about something exciting regarding these effing Mets. Noah Syndergaard AKA "Thor" made his first appearance in spring training wearing the orange and blue.

In two innings pitched he had 5K's, 3 hits, and 1 unearned run. Those 5 strikeouts came from his first 7 batters. People at the game tweeting called him a bad bad man, filthy, sick, and many other things in regards to how mean his stuff looks. Radar gun had his fastball in the 96-97 range with his curve ball around 81 and spectators say his fastball movement was down down down.

Its nice to see a good start out of him much the way Zack Wheeler did last season. It will be fun and much anticipation for his call up sometime after the all star break. I know a lot of Mets fans are clamoring for him now but as things sit now the Mets have decent depth in the rotation to start the season even if Jon Niese is sidelined for a period of time. If Thor does pan out as projected, Wheeler progresses, and Matt Harvey returns healthy that rotation is going to be down right scary. Looking forward to seeing a lot more of this.

Noah Syndergaard as he warmed up between innings today. pic.twitter.com/U25CQyzFVA
— Chris McShane (@chrismcshane) February 27, 2014

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Its Matt Harvey Day..Sorta

Matt Harvey will make 20 throws at 60 feet today. (Corrected.)
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) February 22, 2014

Today, for the first time in four months Matt Harvey will be allowed to pick up a baseball and throw it. Unfortunately, he won't be throwing it for strikes in the high-90s with little to no run support. Instead he will be throwing lightly, about twenty times from a distance of 60 feet.

This marks the next step in Harvey's road to recovery from the Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL in his throwing arm, that ultimately ended his 2013 season. The good news is that Harvey is on time, if not a little early in his rehab. The bad news is he is still probably 13+ months away from throwing in a meaningful game when he returns to the Mets to open the 2015 season, barring any serious setbacks.

For now though, we should take what we get. It appears that media will be in our ear all season long as Harvey rehabs. To be quite honest, I'm not sure Harvey would have it any other way.

Matt Harvey Will Throw Tomorrow

#Mets are making Harvey wait until tomorrow to throw according to a source. 4 month anniversary date of surgery. He’s eager to go.
— Kristie Ackert (@AckertNYDN) February 21, 2014

Per Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, Matt Harvey will take his rehab to the next phase. It'll be exactly four months since the date of his Tommy John Surgery and according to Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog, he will throw about twenty pitchers from about twenty feet.

Its becoming quite easy to see why the Mets want Harvey to rehab in Florida, as opposed to remaining with the team for the duration of the 2014 season.  Spring training is only a few days old and Harvey has dominated headlines, even seeking out the media.  The Mets were apparently upset that he took it upon himself to break the news that he had been cleared  to begin throwing.  A season full of constant coverage of his rehab and personal life could easily become a distraction to a team that should have its hands full simply remaining competitive in the NL East.

The Mets And an Open Wallet...

So, going into the off season the Mets had needs for more production and defense in the outfield and shortstop as well as filling the void left by Matt Harvey after season ending Tommy John surgery. This was done by adding Chris Young, Curtis Granderson, and Bartolo Colon. Now mind you these transactions were all made with a certain degree of financial restrictions be it from the banks or whatever the Wilpons have going on in the back ground. Nothing at shortstop has come to fruition and probably won't.

The Grandy and Colon deals I think were good. Both have star power, Colon was one of these best pitchers in the league last year at age 39 and if Granderson can stay healthy should be productive while being a presence in the clubhouse and community.

Now let's pretend for a moment that money isn't an issue. Say we didn't sign Young or let the Ike/Duda saga play out the way it did all winter and sign Nelson Cruz and Kendrys Morales. Are the Mets now contenders?

Suspension aside, Cruz hit .266/.327/.526 along with 27 homers and 76 batted in. Young on the other hand hit .202/.280/.379 with 12HR and 40RBI. So essentially Nelson had double the production playing in the same division. Offensively there isn't much comparison based on last years results but defense there is no question Young is better. I supposed the thinking is that Young has a bounce back year at the plate and comes close to that?

Morales hit .277/.366/.449 with 23 bombs and 80 knocked in. And between Ike and Duda they hit more home runs, were close in RBI's but not close in average or slugging. Defense comes into play on this one as well especially with Ike. Once again, they are more than likely hoping for Davis to regain his form and if he does comes as a much cheaper option but remember we aren't worried about dollars in this post.

Clearly, signing both of these FA's would be more sexy than what we have now and would satisfy the fan base but it becomes a question of which is more important. Defense and the hopes for better offense or just plain offense and take our lumps here and there in the field. What say you Mets faithful(un)?

Photo Courtesy: mets360.com

Follow me: @jwil25

Mets Can't Force Harvey to Stay In Florida For Rehab

Something to keep an eye on as the season draws closer will be the rehab of Mets ace, Matt Harvey.  Since injuring his arm late last year, Harvey has strayed from the script multiple times when discussing the injury, the surgery to follow and now, the rehab.

You'll recall soon after the injury that Harvey felt he could rehab the injury and that he would be prepared to pitch this April, despite team reports that surgery would ultimately be required.  He later stated it took a bit of time for him to grasp the reality of the situation and opted for surgery that would rule him out for the entire 2014 season.  The Mets couldn't force Harvey to have that surgery.  As it turns out, they can tell him where to rehab from it either.

In a decent piece of digging by the NY Post's Ken Davidoff, it appears that Harvey can return to New York and stay with the team if that's what he decides to do.  Davidoff quotes the following excerpt from the collective bargaining agreement:

“A Club may direct a Player to perform prescribed rehabilitation work for an injury

 during the championship season at a rehabilitation facility at one of the following three

 sites: (a) in the Club’s home city; (b) on the road with the Club; or (c) at the Club’s 

spring training facility; provided, however, that a Club may not direct that a Player 

perform prescribed rehabilitation work for an injury at its spring training facility for a 

period of more than 20 days without the Player’s written consent.”

This isn't an issue to date, but Harvey hasn't been shy about his desire to remain with the team.  If he does so, it would be a deviation from standard operating procedure for the Mets, who usually have their walking wounded rehab in Florida.  Its a bit more important in Harvey's case, as his high profile night life and position with the team could serve as a distraction if he doesn't become more tactful with the media.  That however remains to be seen, but it remains clear that Harvey has the leverage in this instance and will ultimately decide where he rehabs from his season ending Tommy John Surgery.

My Concern For 2014's Zack Wheeler

Last year, the Mets were treated to something special every fifth day when Matt Harvey took the mound.  In his first full major league season, he exploded onto the scene and caught the attention of the whole baseball watching country with his strike outs and bloody noses.  Obviously, we know he will not be here in 2014 due to Tommy John surgery.  Not only does that leave the Mets with a huge hole in their rotation, but it leaves the fans deflated that there won't be a "Harvey Day" this year.

Enter Zack Wheeler.  Having a very similar career path, Wheeler finally was called up late last season and gave us a taste of something Mets fans have been eager to see since he was acquired a few seasons ago for Carlos Beltran.  Although very inconsistent in his first few starts, you saw significant improvement as he gained more experience.

Here's the thing.  I really hope Wheeler doesn't put more pressure on himself this year to go out there and have the same type of season Harvey had last year.  I also hope fans do not expect him to go out there and be Matt Harvey either.  Losing Harvey is creating a void for everyone.  I'm not in that clubhouse and although I doubt people will openly admit it, I almost guarantee the men in the rotation feel a need to pick up the slack with Matt gone.  And being how similar they are, I'm sure Wheeler feels that pressure even more. Wheeler in a way may compare himself to Harvey, and try to hard to meet the levels that Harvey reached last year.  Mets fans have expectations also. These aren't just expectations the fans have for every pitcher that comes up now to shoot to the top like Harvey did.  But also for the fact that 2014 was supposed to be the year we compete. This year has all the ingredients to be a recipe for disaster for Wheeler. I hope that Wheeler goes out there and pitches the way he knows how, and just tries to be Zack Wheeler.  I also hope Mets fans temper their expectations.

Matt Harvey To Resume Throwing In Two Weeks

Matt Harvey intend to start throwing on February 22nd.  At least that's what he told the New York Post last night, who reported late last night that Harvey intends to report the Spring Training on the 15th with the rest of the team's pitchers and catchers.

Harvey has made no secret of the fact that he hopes to pitch in 2014, although Mets brass has been far less receptive to the idea.  Last night, Harvey explained that he was told her could resume throwing four months after his surgery, which would be the 22nd.  Harvey went on to comment:

“They said I should be able to start throwing four months after the surgery and that’s

 Feb. 22, and I haven’t had any setbacks.  I can’t wait. Even if it’s 10 feet, I just want to

 pick up a ball. As if right now, I don’t see why I wouldn’t be able to do that.”

The Mets' ace also made the following case for appearing at the major league level before this season comes to a close:

“I haven’t touched a baseball yet so I don’t know how things are going to go once that 

happens, but if things are still progressing and it shows I’m ready to go and I get cleared, 

I want to be able to play. If I get to throw a couple of innings in August or September and

 then have a normal offseason without having to go into next year with all those 

questions still out there, that would help me significantly. I’d love to face hitters to 

build my confidence up back up and not just jump into a new season having not seen anyone."

Harvey later goes on to explain that he would prefer not to pitch in the Fall League, but he admit that ultimately it isn't his decision.  Harvey has always been outspoken.  Expect him to take just about any opportunity to reinforce his desire to pitch this season.  That's perfectly fine.  Matt is a competitor and that drive has made him the pitcher he is today.  However, as we've said here before, there isn't a single scenario that should see him throw for the Mets this season.  Take the time to rest and recover.  Matt Harvey is too important to the team's future to jeopardize his career for a few innings this September.

Matt Harvey Granted Free Agency

This morning the Daily News is reporting that Mets injured ace Matt Harvey and his supermodel girlfriend Anne V. have parted ways. Normally something like this wouldn't be news unless you're Derek Jeter, but Harvey has been a fixture in the tabloids since being spotted with the leggy blond at a Rangers game in May.  Harvey has been out there so much, it has recently drawn the ire of WFAN's pet gremlin, Joe Beningo.

Personally, I don't think Anne V. is all that.  I don't see the hype. I'm not saying I'd kick her out of bed for eating cookies. But I don't think it's hard for Harvey to find an upgrade.  I also tend to find people that don't use their last name are pretentious snobs anyway.  So I'm glad to see her go for several reasons.  The first is so I can stop hearing about it.  Secondly is that Harvey was a persistent violator of the man code "Bros before Hoes".  If I were one of Matt Harvey's friends, Id be pissed that he was getting all these premium seats to hockey and basketball games, and was wasting them on his girlfriend.  Harvey recently tweeted a picture of him and 3 other dudes at the Stadium Series game between the Rangers and the Islanders. I'm sure his pals are happy to be back to doing what dudes do.

As is typical in celebrity break ups, it's reported that they split amicably and remain friends.  Whether that's true or not, who knows.  Frankly, who cares?  I'm curious as to why this happened.  I wonder if maybe someone in Harvey's inner circle finally got through to him and told him he's getting a little to big for his britches. Maybe he came to the realization that he's a stud and he doesn't need to be tied down. At least it's the end of a story that just wouldn't go away.  In honor of the end of an era, I present to you a pictorial retrospective of the relationship of Matt and Miss V. accompanied by some music to set the tone.  I apologize to those who shed a tear. But remember, it is better to have loved and lost, than to not have loved at all.

(If you're viewing on a mobile device, the music may not work.  If thats the case, just sing It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday by Boyz II Men out loud while viewing the pictures)

Zimbio.com

nyblondes.com

draggpost.com

instagram

zimbio.com

Page Six

justjared.com

bustedcoverage.com 

Huff Post

Bye, Anne V.

@GetsThruBuckner

Could Matt Harvey Pitch In 2014?

In a late night article by ESPN's Adam Rubin, it appears that Mets ace Matt Harvey would like the pitch in 2014.  In fact, he told the Wall Street Journal the following:

"When you see stories of guys coming back in 10 months, I'm going to think, 

'Hey, I can come back in nine.' Unfortunately, I don't make those decisions. 

I can't throw the uniform on and go back on the mound without the permission 

of higher-ups. That's my personality -- I always want to be out there. Like I've

 said all along, I'm nota doctor, so I don't have those answers. But of course I 

want to get back on the mound."

 Look.. I don't think I need to tell you that this is wishful thinking.  However, this is exactly the competitive nature that has made Matt Harvey into the star he's become.  I would expect nothing less than him pushing his timetable and in all honesty, would be worried if he acted any differently.

I don't expect Harvey to toe the rubber this season under any circumstances, to include the media shocking the masses and making a playoff run.  Matt Harvey is the future.  Since the Mets don't figure to be anything resembling a contender in 2014, there is no reason to risk that future for the present.  Let Harvey push the issue, but there is no way his forces himself into the lineup this season.

Syndergaard Could Reach The Majors In A Relief Role

ESPN's Adam Rubin spoke with Mets Vice President, Paul DePodesta, about the team's next pitching phenom, Noah Syndergaard.  Amongst the things they discussed was Syndergaards innings limit in 2014.  It is expected that Syndergaard won't make his major league debut until either late June or early July.  Unlike his predecessors, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, Syndergaard won't throw nearly as many innings in his first season at the major league level.

Rubin writes that unlike Harvey and Wheeler, who threw 135.2 and 149 innings respectively in their last full season in the minors, Syndergaard threw just 124.2 last year.  Pitchers generally aren't permitted to ramp up their work load by more than 30 innings from year to year, which would put Syndergaard about fifteen innings (or two starts) short of the other two.  Expect the Mets to be particularly mindful of this after they allowed Harvey to increase more than thirty innings after arriving at the major league level.  That placed Harvey on a list of pitchers at high risk for injury in 2013, before ultimately falling to Tommy John Surgery.

DePodesta told Rubin that the Mets may get creative in an effort to keep Syndergaard in the rotation into late September.  Although they will not delay his start to the season, the organization may be willing to break him into the majors in a relief role.  That is not something they have done in the past, but is something that's worked for other franchises, namely the St. Louis Cardinals, as Rubin points out.

One way or another, it appears only an injury can prevent Syndergaard from appearing in Queens this summer.  He will arrive to much fanfare as he'll look to live up to the standards set by those who've come before him.  While that's not necessarily a fair hand to be dealt, its the way things work in the big city.

--------------------------------------------------------------

I'm going to level with you.  I want the Mets to meticulously monitor Syndergaard's innings limit, however I want no part of him appearing out of the bullpen.  I don't care if its worked elsewhere, all I can envision is the stunted growth of Jenrry Mejia.  I can live with shortened exposure in 2014 in the hopes of a healthy career as a starter.  We've seen in the past six months that even a pitcher like Harvey, with as smooth and simple delivery as they come, can still fall to injury.  Let Syndergaard grow at his own pace, as a starter.  If that means he's done in the first week of September, so be it.

What The Kershaw Deal Means to The Mets

Last night it was reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers signed two-time Cy Young Award winner, Clayton Kershaw, to a seven year $215 million dollar extension.  That deal, a record for a pitcher, will send ripples through the pitching market for years to come and could potential impact the Mets in a few years.

As I'm sure you know, the Mets have at least one, if not three soon to be young stud pitchers.  Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard still have plenty to prove (especially with the latter having not reached the majors yet), but in a perfect world they Mets could have to sign these kids to extensions in three consecutive years.  And yes.. I realize I am talking about no less than six years from now.

The issue remains the same though.  Unless the financial landscape and front office philosophy dramatically shift between now and then, do any of us expect the Mets to issue one, never mind three, contracts north of $150 million?  Also very relevant, the last time the Mets did venture into the long term market for a premiere starting pitcher and brought in Santana, it definitely didn't go as planned.

Again, we're well off from those decisions, however it remains important to keep tabs on that market and may be in the team's best interest to preemptively buy out their first few years of free agency (a la Jon Niese) in the coming years.  That effort may be futile in the instance of Harvey, whose agent Scott Boras is very much against it, but its definitely an avenue to investigate if Harvey comes back from injury as expected next season.

Perhaps I'm prematurely ringing this particular alarm, or maybe I'm just a bit paranoid after seeing the team shy away from premiere talent in the past, but I believe the starting pitching market to be a legitimate hurdle to keeping the group together.  For now we'll be content to watch Harvey rehab, Wheeler take the next step and Syndergaard make his arrival, but the future looms for better or worse.

Why the Mets SHOULD Rely on the 2015 Free Agent Shortstop Class

I like to fancy myself someone who could be a Major League Baseball general manager. I have business experience. I have many years of baseball experience. I also have delusions of grandeur. This all adds up to me sitting on the couch planning how I would run a profession baseball franchise.

I would be the picture of patience. I would shy away from free agents almost entirely in order to build an extraordinary stable of big, strong, talented starting pitchers who were cheap and under control. In the field, I would attempt to develop as best I could, with the aim being towards creating a nice set of cost effective role players and bottom of the line-up guys. When I see my window open, let's say...a 2-3 year window where my pitching stars have all aligned, I'd go out and spend. I nab two big bats with power. I nab a speed guy in the infield. I nab a big lefty SP. I take a chance on a couple of bullpen guys, though I do not spend a lot because bullpen guys are fickle.  I hope this not only blows my window wide open, but extends it another year or two. Then at the end, when the window closes, I rid myself of the baggage as best I can in hopes of starting over again. This is how I feel a team without Yankee/Dodger/Sawx money should work.

Accordingly - I disagree with my esteemed colleague, Rob Patterson, who contends the Mets should not rely on the 2015 Free Agent Shortstop class to fill their current and future short stop needs. Let's face it - the Mets are not winning the World Series in 2014. Harvey...out. Wheeler...young. Syndergaard...nothing but a twinkle as of yet. d'Arnaud...who knows. Our window is still being set up. It has yet to open. That means there is no rush. 

Mr. Patterson points out that next year's free agent class will include names at short such as Hanley Ramirez, J.J. Hardy, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jed Lowrie and Yunel Escobar. You can add veterans Nick Punto and Mike Aviles to that list. That is an awfully deep market. While, as Mr. Patterson notes, the competition for Ramirez will be fierce and I would be betting my farm on the Yankees (especially if they get under $189M this year), the competition at the middle tier should not be as such. This off season included two big(ish) names...Stephen Drew and Johnny Peralta. Peralta signed early as he was the "big name". No other shortstop has signed for any significant money as of yet and pitchers and catchers report in a matter of weeks. Next year will be even deeper. I don't envision the competition for the Lowrie's, Cabrera's and Hardy's of the world being that difficult, particularly with a decent set of lower tier players beneath them - much like this year.

In addition to the deep market at shortstop in the 2015 free agent class, there are potential deep markets at first base, second base, and right field. I would be willing to put Nick Punto at short-stop if it meant I could take a run at Billy Butler at first. I would take Mike Aviles at short, if I also had Colby Rasmus in left and Norichika Aoki in right. The decision to get a shortstop now versus relying on a potential 2015 class does not solely rely on the short stop class. You have to factor in what else you can do. Right now, there isn't much else the Mets can do. Next year, that will not be the case.

My point is the Mets do not need a shortstop right now. Stephen Drew is a good player, but he does not a championship team make. The Mets would be better off being patient, sticking to their guns with Drew for a short cheap deal, and if he decided to go elsewhere, we have 7 short-stops and a wide array of other options next year to choose from. This at a time when Harvey will come back, Wheeler will be primed, Syndergaard will have some experience, and we will know what we have in d'Arnaud. The window opens in 2015, let's try not to jump out of it until then.

Matt Harvey Responds To His Critics..Again

Welp.. bright and early this morning Matt Harvey got into it with someone on Twitter who felt the need to try to ruffle his feathers.  I would say he succeeded...

@NickDeBabylon I am quite happy and will enjoy rehab, life and getting back to beating the Yankees. Which I have done.
— Matt Harvey (@MattHarvey33) January 13, 2014

Thats a great retort by Harvey and likely something Mets fans will rally around.  I even laughed myself.  But there are some underlying issues here..

Harvey has been well traveled this winter.  With trips to Russia and now apparently Thailand if your inclined to believe his Twitter feed.  These are leisure time activities that he is more than entitled to take, but there will be a faction of the fan base who feel that he should be concentrating on one thing: rehab.

Bear in mind, I'm not saying he isn't rehabbing.  I'm simply concerned that he's setting himself up for future criticism if his reinsertion into the rotation in 2015 doesn't go as well as expected.  This is the second time in as many months that Harvey has responded directly to criticism.  Some fans will love it, but sooner or later they too will have to concede that this type of behavior will bring undue pressure on the young pitcher when he finally returns to the mound.

I worry what his response could be to true, warranted criticism, of his performance on the mound.  New York is a results oriented town and Harvey has provided a welcome distraction to a fan base who hasn't enjoyed results in certain years.  That fan base can turn on players quickly, and giving it ammunition like this may not be for the best in the long term.

2013 Mets Year End Recap

For the second time in as many seasons, the New York Mets posted only a 74 win season in 2013.  Identical years, with the lone exception being a third place finish atop the Marlins and Phillies, breaking a four year streak of fourth place finishes.  A successful season by no means, 2013 was not without excitement.  Here is a look back at the biggest stories of the past year.

Matt Harvey
The immergance of Matt Harvey as one of the best pitchers in baseball caught New York and the nation by storm.  Although, despite his new found fame he remained unrecognizable to some New Yorkers.  Plagued by little more than poor run support, Harvey didn't lose a decision until June 13th en route to being named the starting pitcher for the National League at the 2013 All-Star Game held at Citi Field where he promptly drilled Yankee Robinson Cano.  Harvey quickly accrued nearly 180 innings pitched before being shut down following his August 24th start due discomfort in his throwing arm that would ultimately lead to Tommy John surgery.  His finally stat line of 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA with nearly 10 strike outs per nine innings will leave Mets fans with fond memories, but ultimately anticipating his return in 2015.

The Sweep

As has been the case since the introduction of interleague play, the annual series with the Yankees wasthe most anticipated of the year. 2013 saw the expansion of interleague play limit the series to a split two game set in each ballpark. It didn't however limit the excitement, as the Mets surprised everyone by sweeping the season series for the first time. Although they mean nothing more than any other game in the standings, it was nice to have bragging rights over big brother on a rare occasion. 

2013 All Star Game
The mid-summer classic showcased Citi Field in only its fifth season.  In addition to Matt Harvey being named the NL starter, David Wright served as the NL captain of the Home Run Derby (which raised $529,000 for charity) which saw Oakland Athletics stud, Yoenis Cespedes, put to rest any notion that Citi's dimensions were too expansive.  Cespedes crushed 32 home runs to earn the win over Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals.  Despite the National League falling by a score of 3-0, Citi Field shined during a week's worth of activities that brought some rare, positive press the Met's way.

The Youth Movement Continues

The 2013 season twice offered the debut of a much anticipated prospect. Zack Wheeler's highlighted part of an exciting June 18th doubleheader in which the Mets swept the Braves. Although he didn't dominate all year, he showed flashes of the raw talent that made him so coveted by scouts across the game. Travis d'Arnaud followed to similar fanfare in late August after losing much of the season to injury. Despite having a freshman that was disappointing from an offensive standpoint, he showed excellent receiving skills which were well appreciated by those on the staff. 

2013 Offseason
The Mets surprised the masses late this year by investing nearly all of the money that came off the books via the departures of players like Johan Santana and Frank Francisco.  Depsite a slow start, the Mets revamped their outfield through the addition of bounce back candidate, Chris Young, and managed to ink former Yankees slugger, Curtis Granderson, to a four-year deal.  The team wasn't finished though.  In an effort to plug the hole left by the injured Matt Harvey, the Mets signed veteran starter Bartolo Colon to a surprising two year deal which was almost unanimously lauded by baseball insiders as a sign that the Mets are back on track and interested in winning.  Despite having much more work to do, the Mets will finish 2013 a better team on paper than that which took the field this past summer.

Matt Harvey Should Let the Haters Hate

Matt Harvey is living the dream. Despite being out for 2014, he's the ace of the NY Mets. He makes solid money playing a sports, as well as supporting and honoring Qualcomm. He dates a Victoria's Secret model. He's got the world by the balls.

Joe Beningo is a gremlin who has become a d-list local celebrity with a worn out disgruntled fan act. Despite being within his right to be bitter about rooting for crappy sports teams his whole life, he doesn't need to be telling grown ass men what to do with their free time. Last time I checked, most people who went to sporting events sat in the best seats available to them within their price range.

Photo: New York Post

Matt Harvey doesn't have to answer to anyone except his family and the people who sign his checks. As long as he keeps up with his rehab and does what he has to do to get back on the field in 2015, what does it

matter where he goes and who it's with? This is just another example of a NYC media personality trying to cause an issue for the sake of ratings.

It would be nice to see Matt Harvey mature a little bit and show some tact when it comes to certain situations. But Harvey has an edge to him that I think led to his success in 2013. I want Matt Harvey to stay true to himself and keep being Matt Harvey. He should learn though that some things are better left unsaid. I'll never blame a man for defending himself. Hopefully Harvey has a lot more good years here in NYC. There's going to be a lot of hate along the way. In the end, Matt Harvey is winning, whether it's on or off the field.

WFAN's Joe Benigno Critical Of Matt Harvey's Social Life

Joe Benigno, WFAN's midday co-host, strapped on his high horse and set his verbal crosshair on Matt Harvey's nighttime activities with his supermodel girlfriend, Anne V. Benigno goes on to say that "Harvey has accomplished nothing" and basically infers that he doesn't deserve his new found celebrity.

Here's where I stand on this... Benigno has become a shell of himself. A talking head who plays second fiddle to his younger co-host. This was a ratings grab and nothing more. Unfortunately, its succeeded. Harvey took the baseball world by storm last summer and immediately cashed in on that stardom. Just as he does when he's on the mound, Harvey didn't exactly back down from the rant, posting the following on his twitter account:

@JoeandEvan very classy! Jealousy is a bad trait. #justdontwatchthen
— Matt Harvey (@MattHarvey33) December 18, 2013

Its worth nothing that Harvey also retweeted a rather colorful, if not vulgar, tweet from a fan that's just a hair too profanity laced for our filters. He promptly removed it, but the damage was done. Harvey will need to learn to manage the media, but his response in this instance was warranted. He's twenty-four years old, loaded, and has a future ex-trophy wife on his arm at all times. He needn't stay in hiding because he's injured. Benigno needs to get a grip on reality. Harvey is a superstar and he's here to stay.