Why the Mets need to prioritize extending Noah Syndergaard over Michael Conforto

With both players set to be free agents following the 2021 season, the New York Mets need to prioritized signing Noah Syndergaard to an extension over Michael Conforto.

The 2015 MLB season now feels like a lifetime ago, and looking back on it, many fans see that season as a turning point in the New York Mets franchise, once again returning to the status that of a contending team.

In the years following, New York earned a Wild Card berth in 2016, entered the year with high expectations in 2017 and 2018, though they were not met, and finished the 2019 season in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Part of the reason the Mets have been in the conversation the past few years has been because of the play of two players: Noah Syndergaard and Michael Conforto.

Both debuted in the major leagues as a part of that 2015 team and have each made a name for themselves in the years since, with Syndergaard becoming known as one of the hardest throwers in the league, and Conforto a dangerous power hitter, with each man having an All-Star selection under their belts.

The fact that they both made their debuts the same year means that they both will hit free agency the same off-season, that is of course unless they are signed to a contract extension.

In a perfect world, the Mets could retain both players and build the team around them for years to come but, given the team owner’s unwillingness to give players long-term deals or spend big money, odds are only one may be extended.

The only question is, which man do the Mets prioritized extending?

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

In my option, of the two, I’d say the Mets need to prioritized signing Noah Syndergaard to an extension if it ends up being one or the other.

My reasoning for this is simple: Syndergaard’s natural talent and ability to throw the baseball is rare. His fastball speed averages at 97.8 mph, which is THE fastest in baseball, and talent like that shouldn’t be allowed to walk from the team.

Admittedly, 2019 wasn’t his strongest year as a Met, but he has been a consistent player the vast majority of his major league career, and at his age, I suspect his best years are still ahead of him.

Take nothing away from Conforto. He has been an excellent player for the Mets. Over the past 3 seasons, he has been arguably the most consistent hitter on the team and very rarely misses time from injuries, but of the two, Syndergaard would be the harder to replace.

Additionally, looking ahead to the 2021-2022 MLB offseason, the Mets would have far more in-house options to replace Conforto in the outfield than Syndergaard in the rotation.

As things stand, the Mets have outfielders JD Davis, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo as options to replace Conforto in the corner outfield, as well as shortstop Amed Rosario, who may be transitioned there in the years to come. Additionally, that same offseason, free agents like Tommy Pham, Starling Marte and Kyle Schwarber could all be signed to replace him at a cheaper cost.

In contrast, the Mets have far less depth regarding their starting pitching options, and free agents like Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Zack Greinke would all be older and possibly more costly than retaining Syndergaard.

Like I said, in a perfect world, the Wilpons would fork up some cash and sign both men to an extension, but if it ends up being one or the other, which is very well may, Syndergaard needs to be the priority.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Do you agree that extending Syndergaard over Conforto would be the better option for the Mets?