Noah Syndergaard Rumors: Padres Have Inquired About Mets Ace

The San Diego Padres are in last place in the National League West, but they are reportedly looking to acquire a No. 1 starting pitcher as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres "checked in" on the availability of New York Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard. Lin described San Diego's pursuit as a "wide-ranging search for a frontline starter."

Syndergaard is on the disabled list with hand, foot and mouth disease, per James Wagnerof the New York Times, but he is a dominant force when healthy and pitching at his best. The 2016 All-Star has made 13 starts this season and sports a 2.89 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 83 strikeouts in 74.2 innings.

While health problems have plagued him of late and he made just seven starts last year, Syndergaard is 25 years old and figures to have a bright future ahead of him.

San Diego doesn't seem like a logical trade partner given last-place teams are typically sellers and not buyers at this time of year, but Syndergaard isn't set for unrestricted free agency until 2022. He could anchor the Padres rotation for years to come if the Friars acquired him and satisfy their search for an ace.

San Diego ranks an ugly 24th in MLB with a 4.83 starters' ERA and needs a stabilizing force if it is going to contend for a playoff spot in 2019 and beyond.

Syndergaard could represent just that.