What Kind of Trade Package Can Get Syndergaard?

[John Bonnes]

I've been having this discussion in my email, so I might as well throw it out to the group of learned Twins fans:

 

At the trade deadline, there we talks about Noah Syndergaard. Instead, the Mets traded for Stroman, went on a tear, and won 86 games, being the top team in the NL to NOT make the postseason. They look like they're more ready to add than subtract this offseason, though they still have some pretty expensive players on the books, and I'm not sure what their payroll situation is. 

 

Here is their baseball-reference page. The only real weakness in the lineup is in CF, which explains the Buxton rumors. 

 

Here is their Cot's contract page. I notice Todd Frazier is a free agent. Would they have interest in Sano? (And would you be willing to move him?) Both he and Syndergaard would be under contract for two more years. 

 

Another option: Kepler, who showed he can play CF and would look pretty good in that mostly RHed lineup.

 

Here's the thing: if they're competing, I would think prospects who are not major-league ready would be of limited interest to them. After last season, their second-year GM might be thinking a lot more about having a good year to keep his job. What have you got?

[Blake]

Jorge Polanco.

 

Team friendly contract.

 

Retain Schoop and move him to Short.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Trading Sano opens up a hole in the lineup unless there are plans to get Donaldson,  but that opens up different issues as he's older and will regress.

 

Buxton a bit less so as Kepler can move to CF, but then they're looking for a corner OF on a 1 or 2 year deal. 

 

I'd argue if trades are the way to go, there's plenty of minor leaguers I'd be willing to offer up. If the Mets are in win now mode, then I don't think the Mets make sense as a partner. At that point, go out and get someone like Mike Minor or if they can fix the HR rate Matt Boyd. 

[DocBauer]

Please understand, I have no problem with acquiring Syndergaard, nor do I NOT like him. But there are 2 primary issues here that I think make him a questionable acquisition,and both are related.

 

1] The window for the Twins is now fully open. Do you really want to trade away part of the team that just opened that window to create another hole elsewhere?

 

You want to trade from depth. But i don't feel Rooker, Kirilloff, Larnach and Raley (who some forget about) are quite ready yet. You'd really like to trade a package from your deep system to acquire that SP you want. And I think the Mets are in more of a win now mode.

 

2] For all his stuff, Syndergaard is still more about potential rather than proven performance. He has never pitched more than 180 innings until this season, but is coming off his worst season. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. He could be ready to explode the next 4-6 seasons! And that is exactly the kind of arm I would just love the Twins to add.

 

But there remains risk, which is understandable. Refer back to point #1 and opening another hole somewhere to give the Mets ready or near ready talent vs a collection of top prospects.

 

I'm just not sure there is a good match between the Twins and Mets.

 

Playing along with John's premise, however, despite so much talent, and so much potential, I think I would move Buxton over Kepler. Trade or FA would have to bring in another OF on a short term deal. I am thinking Gordon and Thorpe would be enticing to the Mets in said deal. There would probably have to be a 4th piece, and Graterol should be off the table. Pure speculation, but maybe the arm of Romero, with 1 more option remaining, or Larnach would get it done.