Report: Mets considering flipping Thor to Padres, acquiring Stroman

The New York Mets are exploring a scenario in which they would trade Noah Syndergaard to the San Diego Padres for a package of prospects that would then be used to net Marcus Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Rosenthal also notes that the prospects who could be involved are unknown, and Padres right-hander Cal Quantrill, a Canadian native, would be a logical target for the Jays.

This report comes shortly after an anonymous executive told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the Mets are "definitely trading Syndergaard."

Syndergaard is in the midst of a disappointing season. The 26-year-old owns a 4.33 ERA and 3.64 FIP over 20 starts this season, posting career worsts in both strikeout and walk rate. The flame-throwing right-hander is under team control for two more seasons through arbitration.

Meanwhile, Stroman is producing a career year, authoring a 2.96 ERA over 21 starts while making his first All-Star Game. The 28-year-old has one year of arbitration remaining before being able to test free agency.

The Blue Jays are rebuilding, and at 39-66 they sit 28 games back of the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East.

The Mets, however, are coming off an aggressive winter. Rookie general manager Brodie Van Wagenen memorably challenged other NL East clubs by saying his team was the division favorite before the season began. But little has gone to plan in Queens, with the club sitting 12 1/2 games back of the division-leading Atlanta Braves at 48-55.

The Padres possess one of the league's best farm systems, even with Chris Paddack and Fernando Tatis Jr. both graduating to the majors. San Diego employs seven of the league's top-100 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, including recently drafted shortstop C.J. Abrams. Top-ranked left-hander MacKenzie Gore headlines the system.