Noah Syndergaard Rumors: NY Still Engaged in Talks Post-Marcus Stroman Trade

The New York Mets remain engaged in trade talks regarding starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard following the acquisition of All-Star Marcus Stroman, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Heyman noted, though, that New York is "much more likely" to move impending free agent Zack Wheeler than Syndergaard, who is under club control through 2021.

The San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins are among the teams Heyman listed as interested in the right-hander.

Syndergaard is having a down year by his standards. Having entered 2019 never having an earned run average above 3.24, he is 7-5 with a 4.33 ERA through his first 20 starts.

Below is a look at how some of his numbers stack up with the rest of his career:

• 4.33 ERA (worst)
• 1.263 WHIP (worst)
• .258 batting average against (worst)
• 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings (tied for worst, 2018)
• 2.6 walks per nine innings (worst)

Again, it's important to note that the man known as "Thor" has created lofty expectations.

It was just 2016 that Syndergaard was named a National League All-Star while also finishing eighth in NL Cy Young Award voting. He made just a total of 32 starts over the last two seasons as he battled injury.

The good news for New York is the 26-year-old has gotten better as the season has progressed. His ERA has dropped with each passing month, and he has posted a 2.57 ERA in three starts since the All-Star break.

He is scheduled to pitch Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox.

While many players do their best to tune out the distractions, Syndergaard has embraced the rumors:

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported there is "increasing skepticism" around the league that New York will trade Syndergaard prior to the deadline. The Mets could hold on to the starter and see if he can continue to rebuild his trade value rather than sell low.

At 50-55, New York finds itself 11 games back in the NL East and six back in the wild-card race. The team has put itself on the verge of contention with a recent four-game winning streak.

The Mets have wasted little time in making changes to their rotation. Not only did they acquire Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, but they dealt veteran Jason Vargas—who has a club option for 2020—to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.