To be sure up front, I really don’t see a match with the Cubs on a Noah Syndergaard trade. Fun to do the dance and try to make it work, but with a full rotation of veterans, there isn’t going to be nearly the same impetus to use capital on acquiring him (even if you wanted him for the next two years, too) as there is going to be from other, much needier teams.
About those teams in a moment. First, the rumors, which just exploded:
Rival evaluators say they believe the Mets are fully intent on dealing Noah Syndergaard before the trade deadline. "It's beyond listening," said one. "They want to move him."
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 25, 2019
Impression is that trading for Noah Syndergaard would require a top 30 prospect and a couple of other solid pieces, one rival exec said earlier today.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) July 25, 2019
An option #Mets are exploring, per sources: Trading Syndergaard and signing Wheeler to an extension. NYM would benefit from return for Syndergaard while keeping Wheeler, a quality starting pitcher who otherwise would depart in free agency. @TheAthleticMLB
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2019
The Yankees are an obvious team with interest, but you’ve gotta figure the Astros would be right up there, too. Both could easily make an attractive package.
It’s not hard to see the Brewers as interested, given the state of their rotation and lust for controlled players, but the right package would be really tough without including Keston Hiura, and I’m not sure they would (and I’m also not sure he’d be the Mets’ preference for a center piece). You could talk yourself into the Cardinals finding a fit for him, and maybe their recent surge would make them more likely to go for a splash.
The Phillies have been in on pitching rumors, and Syndergaard fits them better than a rental. Those in-division-trade challenges exist, though. Maybe some team like the Giants surprises everyone?
Wherever Syndergaard goes, because of his potential to be a truly exceptional pitcher (with the right club that can unlock it), the implications could be really significant. Here’s hoping he stays out of the NL Central …