The Mets and Noah Syndergaard avoided arbitration and settled for a $9.7 million deal for 2021, according to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale. The team later announced the deal on Tuesday night, though exact terms were not disclosed.

It's good that both sides got the deal done so Syndergaard can truly focus on his rehab back from Tommy John surgery.

Manager Luis Rojas said last week that Syndergaard was "on schedule or maybe a little bit ahead of schedule," while team president Sandy Alderson said a realistic target for Syndergaard's return could be June.

Syndergaard is already throwing off the slope of a mound, and he himself posted a video last month throwing from the rubber.

While Syndergaard did say he fully intends to be available on Opening Day, the Mets will be sure to be cautious.

Syndergaard, who is set to be a free agent after the 2021 season, is now set contract-wise heading into the season. And the Mets are hoping that the 2018 version of Syndergaard will be on the bump when he finally makes his return.

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