N.Y. Mets: Dark Knight Fades to Black

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

BANISHED FROM GOTHAM

Commissioner Alderson Pulls Plug on the Matt Signal;

Dark Knight Is No More

New York Mets: Matt Harvey Designated For Assignment.

Sandy Alderson appeared to me rather perturbed when forced into fielding questions yet again regarding Matt Harvey's extracurricular activities.  I think it's the most annoyed I've ever seen Alderson during his eight years here as general manager.

And why not?

Harvey's on-field performance, personal lifestyle, and general attitude have been in conflict with organizational sensibilities for some time now.

This time the Darkened Knight was spotted partying late into the night at a Los Angeles club opening prior to the Mets series opener at San Diego.  As fate would have it, he was summoned from the bullpen the following night, faced four batters, surrendered a home run and issued a walk.

Then came Harvey's most recent, and inevitably his last appearance as a member of the New York Mets in which he surrendered five earned runs on three hits and three walks in just two innings against the Braves at Citi Field.

After which Matt Harvey refused an assignment to the minor leagues.  The Mets now have a week in which to negotiate a trade.  In the absence of a trade, Matt Harvey will be free to sign with any major league club.

And there's the rub ...

Matt Harvey has no trade value.  He's not very good at the moment, makes too much money, and will be a free agent at the end of the season.  Why would a team give up anything at all for his services via trade when they can just wait out the DFA formalities and sign him for the MLB minimum, and thereby leave the Mets responsible for his owed financial compensation?

Unfortunate as it may be, injuries, poor craftsmanship, a massive ego, further lack of certain intangibles, and perhaps even retaining an intolerable agent, all conspired against Matt Harvey during his years with the Mets.  None of which escapes the other 29 front offices throughout baseball. Despite declining a minor league assignment with the Mets, Harvey may have no choice but to accept a demotion somewhere else if he intends on turning around his career.  Major league roster space is precious - perhaps too precious for affording a "scrub" an opportunity to figure himself out at the MLB level.

In any event, done are the days and nights of mass gathering along Roosevelt Avenue in celebration of Harvey Day.

This is how the marvel comic ... ends.