Sep 25, 2018; New York City: New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Citi Field. (Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Not long after the Yankees traded for a frontline starter in James Paxton, they may be looking to add another.
As reported by Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Yankees are discussing a potential three-team deal with the Mets and Marlins that would send Mets righty Noah Syndergaard to the Bronx. Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto would go to the Mets, and the Marlins would presumably stockpile some pretty good prospects.
If the Yankees are getting Syndergaard, you’d have to assume that they’re parting with one of their top prospects, or a coveted young player that just jumped to the major leagues. Promising position players like Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres or Clint Frazier should at least be in the discussion if the Yanks are going to land a pitcher of his caliber.
Syndergaard went 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 154.1 innings in 2018. He’s also dealt with various injuries over his first four major league seasons and has yet to top 200 innings in a season. But with electric stuff and a 2.93 ERA in 518.1 career innings, there’s no denying Sydergaard’s ace-level talent.
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 14: Noah Syndergaard of the New York Mets reacts during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 14, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal also reported that a deal has been discussed involving Realmuto and the same three teams. Considering the Marlins would only be sending the Mets Realmuto, a solid player but far from a star, they probably also need at least one or two good prospects in any deal where they’re giving up Syndergaard. The Yanks likely have to sprinkle more of their young talent around to make this deal work, and they’ve already done that this offseason with the Paxton deal.
The whole “Yankees and Mets trading with each other” thing is another interesting angle. It’s not unheard-of for the two New York teams to make a swap, but they’ve made just six deals with each other in the past 25 years, and just 15 total since 1966. Their last swap came in April, but it involved two career minor-leaguers.
This kind of deal would be rare. Arguably the only comparable deal, in terms of the caliber of player changing uniforms, is their swap of David Justice and Robin Ventura in 2001. If new Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen’s first order of business is to trade Syndergaard at all, let alone to the Yankees of all teams … fans may be tempted to burn down Citi Field.
Whatever happens, this is a rumor certainly worth following for Red Sox fans. The Yankees clearly aren’t done trying to add frontline pitching, and putting Syndergaard in pinstripes would be about as good as it gets for them.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.