NY Mets: 6 teams that could compete to sign Noah Syndergaard

We don’t know for sure where Noah Syndergaard will pitch in 2022. We’re not even quite certain he’ll be on the mound for the New York Mets at all in 2021. There’s a growing hope he can provide them with some relief assistance late this year. After, his future is cloudy.

Syndergaard has been a star player in New York for several years made largely by his personality. Often vocal and with one of the best nicknames in the game, the man known as “Thor” is possibly headed to free agency this winter.

If he does, these six teams might want to pounce quickly.

Texas Rangers could bring the longtime Mets pitcher back to the Lone Star State

Texans have a stereotype about them even my wife from Southeast Asia is incredibly familiar with. It’s the state with all of the cowboys and beef. Syndergaard, built like a Texan, could be headed back home with a contract signed between him and the Texas Rangers.

From Mansfield, Texas, a suburb near Dallas, this would have Syndergaard going to his hometown club. It would make sense for the Rangers if they’re looking to rebuild quickly. They were major sellers at this year’s trade deadline. However, in their market and with a fresh stadium to pack, impactful deals like this could get fans interested very quickly.

I’m not sure what kind of deal Syndergaard will be looking to land this offseason. If there’s one team willing to maybe overpay, the Rangers could make a lot of sense. Their payroll emptied out with several trades this summer so taking a risk on a hometown kid like Syndergaard could be a good move.

What’s the worst that happens; they lose? They’re already doing it without him.

The New York Yankees can pick a fight with the Mets

The rivalry between the Mets and New York Yankees is funny at times. They only play each other a handful of times every year and a lot of the distaste takes place off the field. They’re competing for the same fans and those who have chosen a side are far from fond of each other.

Given all of this, what kind of a flex would it be for the Yankees to add Syndergaard to their rotation?

The Yankees starting rotation situation is a curious one because of all of the injuries that seem to constantly arise each year. I know all teams, the Mets included, have dealt with IL stints from their starting five. It just feels different with the Yankees. They head into every Opening Day fully armed (no pun intended) only to suffer some season-altering injuries. They’ll want to attempt to avoid this but does it actually make Syndergaard a fit?

Much of the rivalry between the Mets and Yankees does feel a bit overblown. I’m not sure there has been any player one has swiped from the other only out of vain. Syndergaard is still a possible fit for the Yankees simply because of what he can offer.

Plus, as much as the front office would never admit it, they would probably like to remind Steve Cohen who was here first.

The Atlanta Braves always seem to need a starting pitcher, why not Thor?

Imagine having to face Syndergaard three, maybe four, maybe even more times a year. This is what could happen if he ends up with the Atlanta Braves. This is a team that signed Cole Hamels in 2020 and gave a deal to Charlie Morton this past offseason. They are willing to take risks on older players. I have to think they would do the same with ones coming off of an injury.

Even though I don’t buy too into the Yankees signing players to stick it to the Mets, I do think the Braves might. Any team in the National League East should. I’ll get to one more of them in a bit.

The 2021 starting pitchers for the Braves have been a mix of veterans and youngsters. Syndergaard could fit in as a younger veteran, possibly as a replacement for Morton or Drew Smyly. I don’t think it’s ever wise to go into a season without some experience in the rotation. Syndergaard could, at the very least, provide this.

As much of a fit as he could be for Atlanta, I’m not so sure he ends up there. This should be good news for Mets fans. Seeing Syndergaard hoist a World Series trophy will representing one of the biggest rivals would be painful.

But as I already mentioned, there is another team in the NL East that should try to make Syndergaard happen.

Suddenly, the Washington Nationals need starting pitching

Are the Washington Nationals going to fold for the 2022 season already? I don’t think so. They sold at the trade deadline because they weren’t going to make the playoffs. Rebounding in 2022 is a logical progression. First, they need to add some help to the rotation and the lineup.

The winter of 2022 might not be a free-for-all spending frenzy for Washington but it is a time to maybe take a chance on some players. For several years now, the team has always had one of the best rotations on paper. Never shy about handing out big dollars to free agent starting pitchers, it won’t end anytime soon even if they’re paying Max Scherzer for the next century.

We shouldn’t expect the Nationals to give up so easily on playing competitive baseball next year. Adding Syndergaard won’t immediately make them number one contenders, but it is the kind of move to show the fans and rest of the team they are hoping for better things ahead. A two-year deal with some incentives for the second season could be what they need to get Syndergaard to D.C.

More than any other team on the list, I could see the Nationals doing this simply to throw some shade at the Mets. Something about that franchise has always felt brutally-business-minded. Maybe it’s the close relationship with Scott Boras that makes them feel like major baseball villains.

Noah Syndergaard ends up with the Tampa Bay Rays only if there is no interest elsewhere

I originally planned to write about the San Diego Padres being a viable destination for Syndergaard, but I think they have enough arms already. Although possible for them to make a trade and open up some space, I think the Tampa Bay Rays are a fine organization to complete this list with.

Why would the Rays ever sign Syndergaard? Yet another team that enjoys a project, the only way he ends up there is if nobody else has much interest. The Rays might never again sign a player to a ridiculously high contract. Plenty of times might overpay for Syndergaard. I’d put the Los Angeles Angels in that category although I’m leaving them off of this list because I think they have bigger needs.

The Rays don’t actually have to do anything stupid and hand a contract to Syndergaard unless they’re sure they are getting a good deal. Their approach to roster building is unmatched in the game.

Some teams flex their money. Some acquire starting pitchers with trades using their farm system. And still, there are those that build their own.

The Rays, using the most cost-effective manner, build up as many starters as they can and acquire others whenever possible. It doesn’t work for every organization. For them, it has made just about every recent season a competitive one.

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Which teams do you think could give the Mets the most competition to sign Syndergaard?