It’s no secret that the New York Mets are listening to offers on their star right-hander Noah Syndergaard. Initial interest from the San Diego Padres has led to additional buzz coming out of Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Colorado, but, alas, all signs seem to point to the Friars as being the best fit.
The Mets don’t necessarily need to move their 26-year-old flamethrower but if reinforcing the present and future of this organization with an astronomical-but-well-diversified return is a possibility, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen would have no choice but to listen.
On Monday, Kevin Acee, Padres beat writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune noted that San Diego is “firmly in play” for Syndergaard, adding that “several baseball people are convinced [he] will be traded” this offseason.
Acee reports that Padres GM A.J. Preller was “unwilling to include any of their top half-dozen or so prospects” in a discussed deal for Mariners’ starter James Paxton, who was eventually traded to the Yankees for a package of prospects.
That would presumably include top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. — who the Mariners reportedly weren’t targeting — as well as left-hander MacKenzie Gore, infielder Luis Urias, catcher/outfielder Francisco Mejia, or hurlers Chris Paddack, Adrian Morejon, Michael Baez, and Logan Allen. One would have to assume the Mets would have slightly more leeway in negotiations, but not much.
Acee spoke with MMO on Wednesday regarding ongoing trade discussions between the Mets and the Friars, expressing optimism that a deal could get done, but pointing to player valuation as the source of any potential snags.
Considering Syndergaard’s age, talent level, and team control remaining, Van Wagenen and the Mets will likely set their mark on Noah fairly high. Let’s see what SDU-T’s Padres beat writer had to say on the matter.
MMO: The Padres’ system is littered with blue-chip prospects and a handful of MLB-ready players who play positions the Mets specifically targeted as offseason areas of interest (catcher and a right-handed hitting outfielder). Even without Tatis available, do you see a deal between the two teams possible?
Acee: A deal could definitely happen. You could even argue it should happen. It seems the Padres’ abundance and the Mets’ needs line up. Whether [or not a deal happens] centers on each team’s perceived value of their player and the other team’s players. The Padres really want to add a quality pitcher.
MMO: With Preller’s reported aversion to dealing his top guys, one would have to assume that a combination of major-leaguers and prospects will be the only way to entice the Mets and ease the reluctance of the Friars to deal their top prospects.
Catcher Austin Hedges has been mentioned as a possible fit. Do you see Preller dangling left-hander Joey Lucchesi or Hunter Renfroe to marginally lower the impact of a major trade on their farm system?
Acee: Absolutely. Both could be had. The Padres would like to find a trade partner that is interested in Renfroe and/or Hedges.
MMO: Clearly, intentions are present on both sides. Whether or not Preller’s offer will satisfy Van Wagenen’s demands or vice versa is yet to be determined. Do you see Preller lowering his guard on his upper-echelon prospects in order to land a guy like Syndergaard?
Acee: Not this year. If they were closer or had fewer holes and more upper-echelon players then I think he would. Now, it wouldn’t make as much sense.
We sincerely thank Kevin for taking the time to speak with MMO. Give him a follow on Twitter for excellent Padres coverage and analysis.
