Closing in on Major League Baseball’s trade deadline, it’s time for the New York Mets to embrace their reality and trade Noah Syndergaard.
The New York Mets limped into the All-Star break with a lackluster 40-50 record. The club kicks off the “second half” of the season on Friday at Marlins Park.
13.5 games back in the National League East and seven games back of the second Wild Card spot, the writing is on the wall for this team.
Despite their record, the Mets have some desirable pieces. Zack Wheeler has been linked to a number of teams, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Set to be a free agent after the season, Wheeler is all but a certainty to be moved.
Another expiring deal, Todd Frazier could be a useful bat to an American League team looking to add some punch.
Per multiple reports, the Mets were not happy with Jason Vargas for last month’s incident with Newsday’s Tim Healey. Having his best season since 2015, the veteran left-hander would provide some stability for a team in the playoff hunt.
While these moves would net New York some young players, there is one more name that needs to be included: Noah Syndergaard.
A fan favorite, “Thor” has had moments of brilliance during his five-year run with the Mets.
At 26-years-old, he is in the prime of his career, but has produced middling results in 2019. Through 17 starts, the righty is 6-4 with a 4.68 ERA and 1.278 WHIP.
The ERA is more than a run-and-a-half higher than his career average of 3.23. In fact, his previous career-high was 3.24 in his rookie season.
Even with these up-and-down results, several teams have expressed interest in Syndergaard.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets are telling interested teams that it would take “multiple top prospects” to land him.
Tim Healey reported that at least six teams have reached out to the Mets. The team that makes the most sense, however, is the most recent team to inquire.
MLB.com’s Jon Morosi has stated that the San Diego Padres have looked into Syndergaard’s availability.
Possessing what is widely regarded as the best farm system in baseball, the Padres have the prospects necessary to make a deal happen.
Multiples sources have confirmed that LHP MacKenzie Gore and 2B Luis Urias are San Diego’s only “untouchable” prospects.
This leaves plenty still to work with. A package consisting of LHPs Adrian Morejon and Ryan Weathers and SS Owen Miller could be enough for New York to consider.
Morejon and Weathers each rank in the top-10 of San Diego’s system according to MLB.com.
Miller is 22-years-old and has hit at every level he has been at in the minor leagues. With Fernandez Tatis, Jr. occupying the shortstop position for the Padres for the foreseeable future and the uncertainty surrounding the viability of Amed Rosario long-term, he is an interesting player for the Mets to target.
Trading Syndergaard would be a largely unpopular move among the fan base, but it would be done with an eye on the future.
Syndergaard has flashes of excellence, but his value declines with each opportunity the Mets pass on to deal him.
Moving him for a package of players list the one above would give the club an infusion of young talent that could make us a legitimate contender in the next couple of years.
