Michael Conforto, Noah Syndergaard leave a similar legacy in Queens

Michael Conforto and Noah Syndergaard appeared to be very different people during their time with the New York Mets but their paths were similar. Each debuted in 2015. Both would have some big moments down the stretch and into the postseason.

Because they debuted in the same year, they also became free agents at the same time. The pair received qualifying offers back in November and each rejected it. Syndergaard ended up signing with the Los Angeles Angels. Conforto remains a free agent into the MLB lockout.

From 2015 through 2021, they shared highs and lows as members of the Mets. Despite playing different positions, the legacy each leaves in Queens is the same.

Michael Conforto and Noah Syndergaard joined the Mets at the peak of the decade and leave with untapped potential

Ask Mets fans in 2015 what they’d expect would be on Conforto and Syndergaard’s resumes right now and many would think there would be an MVP or Cy Young there. That’s where the expectations for those two reached early on. Even in the years that followed, it was a thought that Conforto could one day compete for the MVP while Syndergaard had the stuff to win a Cy Young.

It wouldn’t be the fate of either player during their time with the Mets.

Conforto never received even a distant vote for the MVP. It’s pretty amazing. When compared to other outfielders, it’s understandable why. Conforto had good yet not great numbers. He never played a full season on a playoff team either.

Syndergaard did manage to finish eighth in the Cy Young race back in 2016—the season that established a lot of his reputation further. Following that year, he battled injuries regularly. In 2019, he did stay on the field for a record number of games and innings. However, it came with a career-worst 4.28 ERA.

Both still on the right side of 30 with flashes of what could have been in the past, it’s not unreasonable to believe the best is on the way.

Although things ended on a downer for both and their stardom wasn’t fully reached, Syndergaard is one of the club’s best pitchers of all-time and the same is true for Conforto and his place among position players. The best seasons they had on the field helped get them there. Given a few more years, each would have climbed closer to the Mount Rushmore of Mets.

Unless either return, they’ll settle for a spot somewhere a little more south on the border of Nebraska.