Latest On Syndergaard: Padres Think Mets’ Price Is “Too Steep”

The acquisition of Marcus Stroman seems to have only intensified the Noah Syndergaard rumors. While nobody is quite certain of the Mets’ plan, it doesn’t sound like Stroman will be the Mets’ only deadline deal.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the “likelihood is strong” that the Mets will trade either Syndergaard or Zack Wheeler. Passan adds that the Mets “hijacked” the market now that they added Stroman.

While San Diego once seemed like a potential landing spot for Syndergaard, the Padres are now “not optimistic” about their chances of acquiring him, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Nightengale reports that the Padres think the Mets asking price is too expensive.

San Diego is unwilling to deal MLB.com’s 15th ranked prospect, MacKenzie Gore, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Gore, a 20-year-old lefty, owns a 1.02 ERA and 12.5 K/9 in 79.1 innings in Single-A.

The reluctance to trade Gore comes on the heels of  an earlier report from Dennis Lin of the Athletic that the Padres don’t want to trade their other top prospect, Luis Urias, who is now playing in the MLB.

Since Gore is far away from making the majors, Urias seems to be a more likely target. The Mets are looking for players that can make an immediate impact, per Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.

Buster Olney of ESPN reports Mets and Padres held “extensive” talks that included Manuel Margot. Margot is batting .246/.319/.385 in 271 plate appearances this season, but he is mostly known for his speed and defense. Margot owns a 3.1 Ultimate Zone Rating and has stolen 15 bases.

However,  Mike Puma of The New York Post reports hat the Mets need to be “blown away” by a deal to consider moving Noah Syndergaard, so the Mets would clearly need way more than Margot.

Given Brodie Van Wagenen’s tendency of making big splashes, it’s hard to know what he’s planning. He may trade Syndergaard, or do something unexpected, like he did yesterday by trading for Stroman. Let’s just hope that whatever move he makes, that it yields better results than his now infamous Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz trade.