Mets: Matt Harvey release is the first step in roster shakeup

Get ready to see the New York Mets make even more roster changes. Matt Harvey was only the start.

It is no secret that the New York Mets have completely reversed their course after their historic 11-1 start. Their offense has been brutal and their starting pitching as well when Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard aren’t pitching.

Syndergaard, deGrom, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey were the five pitchers that Sandy Alderson expected to have the Mets compete for years. This year was the first time that all five were healthy to make turns in the rotation together. Unfortunately, health didn’t equal effectiveness.

Matt Harvey was removed from the rotation and placed in the bullpen. It was a disaster. Matt was livid about the move and never looked comfortable. When the Mets approached Harvey about going to the minors to work on becoming a dominant starter again, he refused. The Mets decided to let him go, which was the right decision for both parties.

If the Mets expect to reach the postseason this year, Harvey is just the beginning.

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Kevin Plawecki should be returning shortly. He should be able to hit better than the current duo, still hitting well under .200. Jose Reyes is still batting under .150, and Michael Conforto looks completely lost offensively.

Zack Wheeler has still been rather ineffective in the rotation, and Steven Matz has a confidence issue. Jason Vargas has been brutal in his two starts since coming off the DL. More changes must come.

If Wheeler continues to struggle he will be sent to Las Vegas. Unlike Harvey, Wheeler can go to the minors at this point, as he was demoted at the end of spring training. Steven Matz will also be demoted if he has another start or two like his previous ones. That leaves Seth Lugo and Corey Oswalt as the replacements in the rotation.

Lugo has been so good this year out of the bullpen. He gives the bullpen length when the starters don’t go deep in the game. Moving Lugo to the rotation would mean another pitcher would have to go into his spot. The Mets might have to swing a trade to acquire another pitcher or move Wheeler to the pen. Moving Harvey to the pen didn’t work but another pitcher might have different results.

Jay Bruce is starting to play some first base to get Brando Nimmo in the lineup. That leaves Adrian Gonzalez on the bench. In the next few weeks, I am expecting more roster moves, such as releasing Reyes and possibly Gonzalez.

Next: Top five Matt Harvey starts

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The rotation will look different as well. The Mets’ hot start gave them some leeway on their poor play these last couple of weeks. They can turn it around if they continue to have a short leash on players and make the roster changes necessary to improve.