Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
As the Mets continue to discuss trading Noah Syndergaard, the team is also exploring potential free agent starting pitchers to replace him, according to major league sources.
Trading Syndergaard -- which is no sure thing to happen, even though the Mets are exploring it -- would only be one piece in a larger strategy. The Mets could obtain a package of prospects and major leaguers for Syndergaard, then replace him with a free agent such as Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ, Dallas Keuchel, or Nathan Eovaldi.
Those pitchers are all in the mix for the Yankees, too; Happ and Corbin are particular targets in the Bronx. The Yankees, by the way, do not expect to pursue Syndergaard, per sources.
The Mets are not close to signing any of these pitchers, and would likely have to make a trade before doing so. But GM Brodie Van Wagenen has been in touch with the agents for many free agent starters, keeping a dialogue open in case of a vacancy.
The Mets are pushing back against the idea that trading Syndergaard would signal a step back for 2019. Their view is that dealing from a position of depth, and then finding a replacement at that position, could be a win-win.
Of course, this is all talk until something actually happens.