Matt Harvey open to inking long-term extension with Mets

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Mookie Wilson Kids Jersey PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Matt Harvey is the first among the heralded young pitchers with the New York Mets to be eligible for free agency. And upon arriving at camp Monday, Harvey did not rule out a long-term extension with the organization.

"I think whatever comes up is going to come up," said Harvey, who is under control through the 2018 season. "I've never shied away from it. I've never said I wouldn't consider it. But I haven't heard anything considering that."

General manager Sandy Alderson indicated earlier this month that there were no current talks about extensions. But Alderson suggested the topic could come up during spring training if mutual interest existed.

Harvey, as a first-time arbitration-eligible player, is due to earn $4.325 million this season.
Walt Weiss Womens Jersey Agent Scott Boras essentially said Monday that there is no reason to be dismissive of a potential contract extension for Harvey before knowing what is being offered.

"Expectations of an extension are like dinner invitations," Boras told ESPN.com. "They are always politely considered until you know the restaurant."

Among Harvey's rotation mates, Zack Wheeler is eligible for free agency after the 2019 season, while Jacob deGrom is eligible after the 2020 season and Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz after the 2021 season.

Harvey, 26, went 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA in 29 regular-season starts last season. Despite a hullabaloo over his innings count, he ultimately logged 216 innings -- including the postseason -- in his first season back from Tommy John surgery.

"It's obviously the first time I've ever done that. That's kind of a milestone you want to reach as a starting pitcher is the 200-inning mark," Harvey said.

Torii Hunter Kids Jersey Harvey underwent Tommy John surgery on Oct. 22, 2013. That allowed him to have a 15-month rehab process before returning to competitive pitching -- longer than the 12-month process that had become standard around baseball.

It worked out so well for Harvey that the Mets plan to delay Wheeler's return from Tommy John surgery until around July 1. Wheeler underwent the ligament-replacement procedure last spring training.

"When it comes to rest time with the surgery, I think taking a little bit of extra time doesn't hurt," Harvey said.

http://www.authenticbrewersshop.com/authentic-20-jonathan-lucroy-je... Pitchers typically perform better in their second year back from Tommy John surgery compared with their first season back. For example, Adam Wainwright had a 3.94 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. He then posted a 2.94 ERA the next year.
If Harvey can duplicate that progress as he puts more distance between himself and the elbow procedure, the result could be remarkable. Harvey's 2.71 ERA ranked sixth in the National League last season.