New York Mets: Predicting Returns for Noah Syndergaard
Another unsuccessful New York Mets season has landed them in the thick of the trade deadline discussions. The biggest chip that GM Brodie Van Wagenen holds is Noah Syndergaard, who promises some interesting returns.
For the most part, the New York Mets have easily tradeable commodities that- on their own- do not hold enough value to transform the current state of the organization. Zack Wheeler, Todd Frazier, and Jason Vargas are the most likely to go- with Wheeler garnering the most interest of the three. However, the fact that all of these players remain on expiring deals significantly damages their potential returns.
On the other hand, Noah Syndergaard still has two years remaining, more dynamic talent, and a track record that he is somewhat been separated from. Without a doubt, the 2019 season has put a crimp in his once-massive trade value. Perhaps one could even make the argument that his value has never been lower.
This may be the case, yet he still is worth an excellent return, however, not the haul that would have fetched his services many a year and many an injury ago. His arbitration number should end up below $11 million, which is more than acceptable for a mid-rotation option with upside.
Such a sizeable deal should be reserved for the offseason, yet a team may be desperate in a barren trade market and offer the Mets excessive value that they cannot afford to turn down. Whatever the case may be, Syndergaard appears to have limited days in Queens. It may not be immediate, but he will probably be brandishing his signature fastball in another city before very long.
The Deal: Syndergaard to Houston
Forrest Whitely, Seth Beer, and Miles Straw to the New York Mets
This trade would be the type of swap that would force the Mets into action. It is extremely unlikely that Houston would offer such a deal, as they would be sacrificing too much. Alternatively, a trade of much less value would not even be considered by the Mets at this juncture.
Seth Beer is a rising first base and outfield prospect that appears to have grown into his abundant power and plate discipline well. He projects to be a first baseman type, however, the inevitable onset of the universal DH and the Mets lack of apprehension to play guys out of position, making him a fine fit with the Mets.
In recompense to losing Beer, the Mets could include Domenic Smith in the deal. He is a more accomplished version of Beer and still has four seasons of control remaining. Being left-handed will provide even more balance to the offense of Houston.
Forrest Whitley is easily the most coveted of the Astros prospects and simply must be dealt if they truly want Syndergaard at this juncture. He has ace potential due to an arsenal of five pitches, which some scouts have labeled as the best in the minors. The Mets would lose some experience, but gain multiple years of control in this swap.
Syndergaard’s fickle career allows Whitely to step right in and basically provide the same forecast in 2020. It can be argued that Whitley has more potential, yet Syndergaard can be shaped into a dominant ace if he can pick up the spin rate laden fastball that has become a signature feature of Houston and Brent Strom.
The New York Mets would require a pitcher in return, as Wheeler and Vargas are on their way out of Queens and Syndergaard remains the only other starter besides Jacob deGrom– with Steven Matz apparently heading to the bullpen. Anthony Kay could possibly make the team’s rotation next season and Walker Lockett remains a distinct possibility, as well. Therefore, a Syndergaard replacement should be the principle return, as that would leave only one hole in the rotation.
If the second-best pitching prospect of the Astros- Corbin Martin– was healthy a trade would be much more easily come by here. However, Tommy John struck once again and this unlikely yet riveting trade has become the only real possibility for the two clubs in the time being.
The Deal: Syndergaard to the Yankees;
Deivi Garcia, Tyler Wade, and Nick Nelson to the New York Mets
This trade is far more plausible than the prior one for a multitude of reasons. First off, Deivi Garcia is not Whitley. He looks incredible and is taking a blazing shuttle to the big leagues, yet he is not as accomplished or polished as the Astros future ace.
Garcia was nowhere to be seen only a year ago, yet he has blossomed into a dynamic strikeout machine. A combination of a sharp curve and a blistering fastball have significantly confounded the majority of AA batters, earning him a promotion to Scranton.
Tyler Wade is a man without a spot at the moment for the Yankees and would get a significant chunk of the playing time for the Mets, due to his athleticism and versatility. He is a perfect utility man for the Mets, akin to Brock Holt for the Red Sox or Marwin Gonzalez for the Twins.
This trade provides the Mets with two minor league arms that are approaching their MLB debuts and an offensive and defensive contributor.
Despite the rosy picture and perfect match that this idea purports, such an outcome probably does not have much of a base in reality. The fact remains that the New York Mets ownership could not stomach Syndergaard celebrating a World Series in Yankees’ pinstripes. Whether it is smart of idiotic is beside the point, it is the truth of the situation. unless there is a radical change such, a deal such as this will likely never go down.
The Deal: Syndergaard and Smith to the Rays;
Brent Honeywell and Brendan McKay to the New York Mets
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This would be a risky proposition for the Mets, however, the nature of trading is inherently risky and the returns could be spectacular. Two starters could truly revamp the Mets current mess of a pitching staff.
Brendan McKay has already made his MLB debut and his skillset has already begun to shine. He features a fastball, cutter, curveball, and change-up- all of which he commands with ease. McKay also has the advantage of being a dual player- he can pitch and can hit. Perhaps he can even serve as a DH on some off days.
Honeywell has been riddled by an enormity of injuries in his minor league career, dampening the once highly touted prospect. Admittedly he may never reach the to which he was originally hyped, yet he could be added to the Mets at a relatively low value in such a deal.
Next. Money could not buy the Phillies success. dark
If the New York Mets were able to agree to a trade like this, they would add two future rotation pieces that have masses of talent and are close to the majors. With their young base of position players, the Mets could use an injection of new talent into the rotation in order to restructure the club for the future and this is as good of an opportunity as ever to get such a transformation accomplished.