Report: Rival execs believe Mets will part with pending FAs, but not aces
As the trade deadline draws nearer, the likelihood that the New York Mets will part with ace starting pitchers Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard is apparently shrinking - with the club only looking to sell pending free agents - at least according to rival teams.
The Mets are only willing to part with pending free agents like Jeurys Familia and Asdrubal Cabrera, an official from another team told Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
While serving as the Mets' closer, the 28-year-old Familia has posted a 3.11 ERA and 2.62 FIP over 37 2/3 innings this year, notching 16 saves.
The 32-year-old Cabrera is in the midst of another solid season, sporting a .282/.329/.489 slash line with 16 homers while playing second base. He also offers positional flexibility, with previous experience playing shortstop and third base.
Aside from Familia and Cabrera, Zack Wheeler is considered by far the most likely asset to be dealt. Eligible for free agency following the 2019 season, the 28-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.42 ERA and 3.70 FIP over 99 2/3 innings this year, with some believing a potential change of scenery from "so much dysfunction and bad defense (with the Mets)" helps his perceived trade value.
Even teams looking to lure pitcher Steven Matz away from New York are coming up short, as one National League executive said the 27-year-old left-hander is being valued similarly to deGrom and Syndergaard - in contrast to another report from earlier this month.
One executive believes the front-office situation in Queens - with GM Sandy Alderson taking a leave of absence - will simply prevent the Mets from getting a Syndergaard deal done.
"I'm just not sure they have a leadership situation that lends itself to large or organization-changing decisions at present," the source said.
One executive disagreed, though, believing strong offers will materialize and at least entice the Mets to consider dealing one of their aces.
"I think the market is so bare of difference-making starters that as long as Syndergaard is healthy and pitches well, they will get legitimate offers and I could see him getting moved," the exec told Sherman.
Other pending free agents currently on the Mets' roster include Devin Mesoraco, Jerry Blevins, AJ Ramos, Jose Bautista, and Jose Reyes.