Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out on this.If you are a fan of the Mets, or at least a fan of the National League East, then you are already familiar with the “tale of two teams” and their young star pitchers coming off Tommy John Surgery’s. I’m talking about the Nationals and Braves. I’m talking about Steven Strasburg and Kris Medlen.
During 2012, both teams faced the same dilemma. What to do about their young aces, both coming off Surgery to their pitching elbows, and both on their way to a designated pitch/innings count of some kind?
Well, the Nationals made their decision quickly. Strasburg is their ace. He's going DAY 1. Bring him on. Let the fans rejoice.
As for the Braves, they showed more patience. They are a team, after all, that is used to being in the playoffs, every year. They had another idea. Bring their young ace out of the bullpen to start the year. Then get him starting just in time for another playoff chase.
Maybe it was confidence. Maybe it was delusion. Either way, The Washington Nationals watched their ace get off to a great start, put up numbers, and help lead his team......at least until he was ultimately shut down long before the playoffs even started. Perhaps they forgot that their legacy is more aligned with the Expos right now then that of the perennial playoff bound Braves.
Well, we are an offseason, a LONG season, and another offseason away from watching the Mets and their staff be put into the same situation. What to do about Harvey?
Depending on who you ask, there are some who agree that the Mets seem destined to return to at least some form of relevance in the National League, starting (at least) in 2015. Well, what do you know, that's the same season that their young ace will be attempting to restart his career.
Now What? When do you start Matt Harvey? The Mets have already shown (minus Mejia) their willingness to be patient, bring up their pitchers later in age, and closely watch their pitch count and innings count like hawks. Well, that was before the Mets possibly would find themselves in a playoff race. That was before the pitcher in question, when last on the mound, was battling it out every 5 days with Clayton Kershaw to earn a possible Cy Young, and bring the Mets franchise back to its 80's glory.
During a time of guessing, hoping, expecting, and analyzing everything the Mets may or may not do, what do you think the Mets should do with Matt Harvey when he returns?
Well, I guess you can all answer with more questions and guesses. Will Mejia, Gee, Wheeler, and Niese be healthy? Will Syndergaard, Montero and de Grom all be on the team? Heck, what about the OTHER GUY (Jeremy Hefner) coming off the same injury?
My ultimate decision/guess/speculation/hope is that the Mets put Harvey right in the bullpen. Don't care what as. Whether its middle relief, long man, closer, whatever. Let the man step on the mound, throw heat for a couple innings, and build up his arm strength and (hopefully) confidence in that surgically repaired goldmine of an arm. Then, after the all star break, the Mets should know where they stand. And if there is a race to be won, I want Harvey anchoring it.
No.....Just No.....
ReplyDeleteHarvey will be full ready to go by the time 2015 rolls around.
Your bullpen to build arm strength theory would have legs if his recovery time were to bring him back lets say May or June of 2015. However Harvey is slated to be back in October of 2014. Thats 5 months of arm strength building time.
I wish you were right.....but no matter what the recovery time, you just know the mets will put him on that imaginary magic number of a 165 or so innings limit.
ReplyDeleteKnuckleheads of the world, UNITE!
ReplyDeleteErnest is earnest in his question. The recouperation period for Harvey is uncertain. He may not be 100% by spring 2015, in which case a bull pen stint could be beneficial. I think the FO plays it by ear. If deemed healthy, Harvey would probably be placed in the rotation from the get-go. A 6 man rotation could be in order.
Tell that to a group of lifelong mets fans who already invision a healthy Harvey, pitching 6 quality innings, get taken out to 'protect' his elbow, and watch the bullpen blow it up Every fifth or sixth day..........
ReplyDeleteErnest I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteIts a good theory,but will the Mets do it?
I think starting him pitching in relief 1 inning every 5th day,for 4weeks of spring training.Then when the season starts he piggy backs another starter, for 4 weeks at 2 innings an appearance. Then May he goes to 3innings.
So by June he's at 4,then July All-Star break he'll be ready to join the rotation. I like your out of the box thinking