Mets trade rumors: Interest in Padres outfielder Manuel Margot

According to New York Mets trade rumors involving Noah Syndergaard, San Diego Padres outfielder Manuel Margot is a prime target. The Padres will need to do better than this.

New York Mets trade rumors became a reality on Sunday with the team’s acquisition of starting pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays. As we all hold our breath to see what’s next, other Mets trade rumors suggest they could still move Noah Syndergaard to the San Diego Padres. Per Buster Olney of ESPN, the player they may target is outfielder Manuel Margot.

With the Houston Astros reluctant to include outfielder Kyle Tucker in any deal for Syndergaard, the Mets will need to turn elsewhere to restock their young bats. The Padres have been after Syndergaard since last summer. If they include Margot in a deal, the Mets may bite.

Margot has been a regular big leaguer since 2017. In this time, he has hit an underwhelming .252/.304/.395. A solid defender, he’s not an offensive force I think most of us would prefer to see. At best, he can do what we all hoped Juan Lagares would.

More from Rising Apple

• NY Mets News: Marcus Stroman sees “potential fit” with the Angels
• NY Mets were too “seek” and not enough “destroy” last winter
• NY Mets: 1 trade target to consider from each 100-loss team
• NY Mets: Top 12 free agents the team should look to sign this winter
• NY Mets: Jeff Wilpon’s legacy continues to plague the Amazins

Margot hardly moves the needle for me when it comes to talks involving Syndergaard. After more than 1300 plate appearances, his offensive production is questionable. At the plate, he’s an older Amed Rosario. Both have similar career slash lines and an OPS only a few points apart. The Mets need to do better than this if they’re going to move Syndergaard.

For several years, the Padres have been known as a team with a good farm system. Past Mets trade rumors have linked the two teams with no deal ever going further than just whispers.

Even as non-contenders in 2019, we could see San Diego swing a deal for Syndergaard. The Mets did so by acquiring Stroman, perhaps setting a new precedent for sellers. Just because you’re not winning now doesn’t mean you cannot set yourself up to win in the future.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the player the Mets need to sacrifice Thor for. Already arbitration-eligible next year, Margot isn’t the young rising star they need.

The Mets are better off getting a proven veteran as a stop-gap until someone else comes along or searching for someone who has yet to debut in the major leagues. In fact, riding into 2020 with Michael Conforto in center field wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

I fully expect the Padres to appear plenty more in future Mets trade rumors. With Stroman off the board and other teams possibly in larger pursuit of Syndergaard, will need to up the ante for any shot at the God of Thunder.