When the Mets designated Matt Harvey for assignment, it marked the beginning of the end.  When he was traded to the Reds for Devin Mesoraco, it was all officially over, and we, as Mets fans, were left trying to figure out what to make of the entire era.  In the latest edition of the Mets Blogger Roundtable, we attempt to do just that:

Roger Cormier (Good Fundies)

Kid Gorgeous, Kid Presentable, Kid Moe. The first two phases were enjoyable. The third phase was not.

Michael Ganci (Daily Stache)

Despite all the negativity surrounding Matt Harvey, I will continue to root for him. This guy has been through a lot, and if you don’t like a good comeback story, you’re not human. I will forever be thankful for his three great years. They’re right up there statistically with the greats. While Matt may need an attitude check, I respect what he’s done and wish him nothing but the best, unless he lands with a rival or the Yankees.

Ed Leyro (Studious Metsimus)

Matt Harvey reminds me a little of Gregg Jefferies in that Jefferies had so much talent and got off to a scalding start with the Mets, but he never quite reached his potential in New York.

Like Harvey, Jefferies also rubbed some people the wrong way. Whereas Jefferies always thought he was better than everyone else even though his production on the field said otherwise, Harvey’s off-the-field antics served as a constant distraction to what was happening on the field. Both players let their egos get the best of them, and because of that, Mets fans never got to see them realize their full potential for an extended period of time.

It’s true that injuries have also taken their toll on Harvey, but he’s had several years to try to reinvent himself and still hasn’t been successful. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him get back to being a serviceable pitcher, just like leaving the Mets extended Jefferies’ career by nearly a decade.

Metstradamus (Metstradamus Blog)

Sad, because this is Doc and Darryl all over again in terms of high end talent not coming close to their ceilings. I’m not going to split hairs about the reasons. Drugs in the first two cases, three surgeries in Harvey’s case. It doesn’t matter. Because those are three careers that could have gone to Cooperstown.

Joe Maracic (Loug Egg)

Doc and Darryl’s story didn’t end with the Mets. Guess we will have to wait for Harvey to join the Yanks eventually.

Harvey gave it all on the field, and unfortunately off it. He’s an example of a player putting his brand before his play. The injuries obviously did not help. Deep down I’m still rooting for the guy, since he helped restart the Mets. If he only worried about his teammates more than the models. Maybe when he joins another team like the Angels or the Yankees he will get it all back, and Mets fans will think what could have been?

Love him or hate him, I think we can all agree on 3 words that destroyed his Mets career. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Greg Prince (Faith and Fear in Flushing)

Matt Harvey set an impossibly high standard for himself when, as a rookie, he’d figuratively kick himself after a loss, telling reporters that as the starting pitcher, it was his job to give up no runs. For a while, he practically met his own standard for success.

That’s the Harvey I choose to remember: the 2012 version who thought he should be unhittable and the 2013 sequel who made good on his plan.

Mets Daddy

Earlier, I wrote about Harvey’s career arc with the Mets.  Looking back at it, the one thing I came away with it was hope.

Harvey in 2012 gave us hope this rebuilding plan was going to work out.  In 2013, Harvey gave us hope the Mets could become a contender again.  In 2015, he allowed us to hope this team could win a World Series.  Since that time, our hope has been to first reclaim his former glory and later to be an effective MLB pitcher.

Now, he’s gone, and a small part of the hope we had with him is gone too.  In some ways, perhaps it was fitting the Mets have shown they can’t win without him.  Perhaps . . .

In some ways, I am personally hoping this is the final word of the Harvey tenure with the Mets.  At the moment, there are many storylines with the Mets, good and bad, mostly bad, which merits considerable discussion and analysis.  Please keep an eye out for these blogs for that thoughtful discussion and analysis.  I know I will.