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MLB Trade Rumors: Mets 'Seriously Considering' Noah Syndergaard Deal
November 21, 2018
The New York Mets are reportedly "seriously considering" trading starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard as teams begin sending in offers ahead of the MLB winter meetings.
Jon Heyman of FanCred reported at least a "half-dozen teams" have expressed legitimate interest in Syndergaard, whom the Mets are considering moving despite having him under team control through 2021.
Syndergaard went 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.21 WHIP last season, returning to elite form after being limited to seven starts in 2017 due to injury.
He pitched slightly more to contact than he had in previous seasons, resulting in a career-high ground ball rate and career-low hard-hit rate, per FanGraphs.
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon did not deny Syndergaard could be traded when speaking to reporters earlier this month.
"A decision has not been made yet. It all depends on what [general manager] Brodie [Van Wagenen] thinks he can get back [in a trade]," Wilpon said. "If he thinks the return is outsized from what the value of Noah is, then I guess he'll suggest it, and we'll move on and do that. But it takes two [teams] to make a trade, and it would [have to be] pretty lopsided."
The Mets have been looking at free-agent pitchers in case they trade Syndergaard. Andy Martino of SNY.tv reported the team is monitoring the markets for Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ, Dallas Keuchel and Nathan Eovaldi.
The Mets are also prioritizing MLB-ready players over raw prospects in trade talks. Their goal in potentially trading Syndergaard would be improving their roster with elite young talent that's ready to take the next step; they could then sign a free-agent pitcher who would offset the loss of Syndergaard.
Still just 26 years old, it's clear the Mets will want and should demand a massive package in exchange for the young ace.