Mets pull Noah Syndergaard off trade market, per report

With four hours until the trade deadline, the rumors and chatter have been extremely underwhelming. The craving of a blockbuster July 31st trade is growing, but the likelihood is decreasing. Now, those hopes have diminished even more, as Mets starter Noah Syndergaard has been pulled off the trade market, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Syndergaard made a start last night with the Mets, and the team’s faith in him to start coupled with his solid performance likely confirmed he would remain with the team beyond this afternoon’s trade deadline.

Not only is Syndergaard a great pitcher, but he is a great and controllable pitcher. Under contract through 2021, he has plenty of time left to make a difference, and it seems the Mets have decided that his contract is more valuable than any return in a trade. He is making $6 million this season and is eligible for arbitration in 2020 and 2021.

Just 26 (almost 27), Syndergaard has already posted some incredible seasons in his career. As a rookie in 2015, he finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. In 2016, he was an All-Star and ranked eighth in Cy Young voting and 19th in the MVP race.

Syndergaard, who is 44-27 all-time, is 7-5 this season over the course of 21 starts. He has a 4.10 ERA after allowing 67 runs on 129 hits (14 homers) in 134 innings. He has walked 37 batters this season and struck out 137.

Sherman also reports that the Mets continue to field calls from nine teams on Zack Wheeler, who will be dealt if New York can find a suitor who will meet their asking price.

Assuming Wheeler is moved, New York’s rotation will consist of Jacob deGrom, Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Marcus Stroman, which is still an appealing staff of starters.