Keith Hernandez: Harvey was 'arrogant' with Mets

It was just over a week ago that Matt Harvey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, and New York legend and SNY color commentator Keith Hernandez is now offering his thoughts about the former Mets pitcher, including why he believes the one-time All-Star is no longer with the organization.

"He was confrontational with Sandy (Alderson)," Hernandez explained to WFAN's "Boomer and Gio," according to John Healy of the New York Daily News. "They had a tough relationship. Matt was arrogant and, you know what, you meet the same people on the way up, you meet 'em on the way down, too."

Hernandez, who was a member of the 1986 World Series champion Mets - a team that wasn't shy about partying and drug use - understands what it's like to be in the spotlight and didn't think Harvey (who developed a reputation for being combative and insubordinate) handled playing in New York too well.

"You can do all those things if you're a star player. Steve Carlton did not talk to the press most of his career, in Philadelphia where they're tough, but 300-something wins they left him alone," he said. "Perform at a certain level - the highest level if you're gonna do the things Matt did. I think he put the cart before the horse. I think he wanted to be the next Joe Namath."

While Hernandez was quick to offer his thoughts about Harvey's tenure with the Mets, he did mention he made an attempt to help the pitcher when things got messy prior to his trade.

"I called Scott (Boras), I said, 'Scott, you gotta pull the reins on this guy, because he's gonna make it tough on himself,'" Hernandez said. "He goes, 'Keith, I can't, he's gonna do - he's his own guy - he's gonna do what he's gonna do."

Since the trade to Cincinnati, Harvey (who was 0-2 with an ERA of 7.00 in New York) has made two starts, pitched eight innings, and owns a 3.38 ERA along with seven strikeouts.