Can Trade Out of New York Save Matt Harvey's Collapsing Career?

You know the old saying about New York: If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

In the case of right-hander Matt Harvey, let's amend it to: If you can't make it there, make it somewhere else.

Once upon a time not so long ago, Harvey was the toast of Gotham. In 2013, the Dark Knight posted a 2.27 ERA and MLB-leading 2.01 FIP en route to a fourth-place National League Cy Young Award finish.

Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2014 season, but Harvey returned strong in 2015 with a 2.71 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 189.1 innings as the New York Mets marched to the World Series.

Since then, Harvey's star has collapsed.

His 2016 season was derailed by shoulder surgery. In 2017, the wheels truly came off. Harvey was suspended for violating team policy—more on that shortly—and battled further shoulder problems.

He finished with a career-high 6.70 ERA and a career-low 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings. His average fastball velocity dipped from a career-best 97 mph in 2013 to 94.3 mph, while his hard-contact percentage jumped from a low of 26.5 percent in 2013 to a high of 32.5 percent.

The question now: Where does the 28-year-old ex-ace go from here?

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Mets have toyed with the idea of trading Harvey. During the winter meetings, they discussed scenarios with the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Harvey sounded grudgingly resolved to the possibility of a trade as far back as August.

"I never wanted to imagine it would be, but with the injuries I've had and some of the other outside distractions that I have caused, which I am not proud of, it makes those decisions easier for management," Harvey said at the time, per Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. "It sucks, but it's the way it is."

At the moment, trade talk has died down. Negotiations with the Orioles and Rangers seemingly didn't advance, and it appears Harvey may remain in Queens, per Newsday's Marc Carig.

That could change given the right offer. In the big picture, though, it's worth asking if a move out of New York is what's best for Harvey's sputtering career.

Yes, the Mets are the only professional franchise he's known since they drafted him seventh overall in 2010. Sure, he achieved great success, a high profile and a cool superhero nickname in the blue and orange.

Harvey also has a lot of baggage in the Big Apple. His injuries and on-field struggles are one thing. Then there's the embarrassing episode that led to his three-game suspension last season.

It began when Harvey didn't show up at Citi Field for a game. Initially, he blamed a headache. Later reports suggested Harvey was out partying the night before.

"The feeling among other players on the Mets was that Harvey was out Friday night blowing off steam and trying to get over [supermodel ex-girlfriend Adriana] Lima," according to a report in Page Six.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

That's lurid tabloid stuff. But Harvey let it bleed into his baseball life, and it became a distraction for a Mets team already beset by injuries and underperformance.

It's never too late to turn over a new leaf. But can the pitcher formerly known as the Dark Knight find that leaf in Flushing, or would he be better suited strapping on a different uniform and starting anew?

That's ultimately up to the Mets, who may believe they can wring a comeback season out of Harvey, who is entering his final season of arbitration before a likely foray into free agency next winter. Perhaps the motivation of a contract year, plus a fresh coaching staff led by new manager Mickey Callaway, will do the trick.

Harvey is on the right side of 30; it wouldn't be the most improbable turnaround in MLB history.

"The stuff is still there," Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland said, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. "Health is going to be the key. If he stays healthy, then he's a solid part of the rotation."

Health is the key for other Mets starters—including Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler—but Harvey's history adds troubling layers.

Let's say he wobbles out of the gate. If he's on the Mets, the fans, media and even his teammates will immediately recall his in-game struggles and off-field issues. It'll all come flooding back, adding burdensome angst and pressure. On a new team, the grace period would be longer.

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Ultimately, Harvey will have to produce results wherever he pitches. If his shoulder gives out again or his fastball keeps losing zip, it won't matter what city he calls home.

His checkered history is in New York, however, ready and waiting to smack him in the face.

In the end, the Mets' decision to deal or keep their fallen ace will hinge on whether they think he can contribute in 2018 and the temptation of any trade offers they receive.

"The most important thing I'm weighing are the opinions of Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland, and they don't want to lose him," general manager Sandy Alderson said, per Carig.

That's fine. If we're considering what's best for Harvey, though, it's probably a new set of laundry—and a chance to make it somewhere else.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.