Matt Harvey, the man that New York Mets‘ fans enjoyed on a stellar performance level from 2012 to 2015, fell out of favor with the team and continued his career elsewhere without much success. Now a free agent, he is trying to find a team that gives him an opportunity to start all over again, but hasn’t been able to secure a deal.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced MLB to halt its season for the foreseeable future, the former Mets’ star went to the East Coast. However, he didn’t leave a spring training complex, but instead, he left Scott Boras’ training facility in California.
Harvey is looking for a job in professional baseball, but it has been an uphill battle. His last successful season was 2015, when he went 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA in a career-high 189.1 frames with the New York Mets.
He worked out for the Toronto Blue Jays in February, but left without a contract. Finding a team is even harder now with the COVID-19 crisis in the United States.
The good thing is that he is currently free of any injuries and he is still 31 years old. While not particularly young, he is still in what’s supposed to be the prime of a player, maybe in the end of it, but still prime.
The Mets want no part of him, but Harvey is working to return to baseball
The former Mets’ “Dark Knight” knows, however, that another opportunity may not come. He told the New York Post: “I have thought about it here and there. I haven’t not had a job in 10 years. It’s definitely different, but it’s exciting at the same time because I feel so good mechanically.
“I hope somebody gives me a shot. I feel like I have many more years in me.â€
For what it’s worth, the New York Mets recently said that they haven’t considered giving Harvey another chance. After all, he and his agent Boras had a public battle with the front office about innings limit in 2015. Harvey needed thoracic outlet syndrome surgery the next year and his performance dipped considerably.
Further disciplinary incidents led to an ugly breakup with the Mets. Last season, he had a 7.09 ERA with the Los Angeles Angels. The Oakland A’s scooped him but he’s not tied with the organization anymore. He’s currently a free agent.
“I’m throwing bullpens once or twice a week,†Harvey said. “I hope I get the opportunity. I feel like I’m in high school again, where I have to showcase myself and start all over. I just want to put myself in position to be ready and if it doesn’t work out, to know I put the effort in to make a comeback.â€
“I’ve grown up and matured on and off the field,†Harvey said. “There are a lot of things I’d do differently, but I don’t like to live with regret.â€