The New York Mets had their plans drastically change when Matt Harvey's agent, Scott Boras, told the media that his client's innings limit of 180 for 2015 is "non-negotiable." This came as a surprise to general manager Sandy Alderson, who is now working out a compromise to keep Harvey ready for the postseason.
Alderson spoke to the media on Monday following a weekend full of controversy. It appears as if Harvey's workload will change even though Alderson and the Mets were under the impression that the limit of 180 innings was a "soft cap."
"I'm hopeful over the next day or two we can get this all resolved in the best interest of Matt and in the best interest of the Mets," Alderson told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. "... We're trying to resolve this. I can't even tell you what I've proposed is going to be acceptable. Let's wait and see what happens.
"We have talked about him pitching the last game -- or one of the last games -- of the season against Washington if that game is meaningful. If you count that as part of the regular season, you come up with one [innings] number. If you count that as a 'playoff' game, because that's really what it is at that point, then it's a little bit different. At this point, I don't expect him to make four starts in the regular season.
"How he's used in the postseason is really going to be a function of how he's gotten through six months of the regular season. I can't sit here and say he's going to be available through the entire playoffs, because we don't know how he will feel and what all of the considerations are at that time. That's the position we've always had. When we get there, we'll figure it out."
The pitching plan is not yet set and it's unknown when it will be, but Alderson noted the team aims to be prudent in the decision, as was the plan all along. Harvey is already at 166 1/3 innings for the season, which may severely limit his availability.
The whole situation, which unfolded on Friday, blindsided the organization. Alderson and others were under the impression Harvey could pitch up to 200 innings if the team made the postseason, which Alderson noted back in January without a rebuttal from Boras or Harvey.
New York will need Harvey to ensure the team wins the division and makes a deep playoff run. What unfolds in the next few days will be indicative of how Harvey will be used down the stretch and beyond.
"It all depends where we stand," manager Terry Collins added, via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. "Matt and I talked yesterday at length. You can talk postseason all you want, but you've got to get there. And he's going to be a big piece to get there."
Harvey's next start will come tomorrow against the Washington Nationals.
