RHP Noah Syndergaard will be taking his talents to Los Angeles. Multiple pitchers are already off the board in free agency, while getting pretty large contracts. Syndergaard was offered the qualifying offer which is worth $18.4 million. Instead of accepting this deal, he will be getting $21 million over the next year. Now this means the Mets will have one more hole to fill, but this one is not their fault.
Everyone knows that when a player has Tommy John surgery there is a chance that the player does not ever get back to where they were before surgery. Syndergaard had this surgery in the early part of 2020 and has since pitched a total of 2 innings in the majors. Just this risk alone is a reason the Mets are not at fault for the loss of this dynamic pitcher.
I think the Mets were probably willing to offer $21 million. To lose a player with so much potential over $2.6 million, does not make sense.
To me, it seems like he did not want to be a Met after all. If winning a championship was very important to him, I wouldn’t understand why he would leave the Mets for the Angels.
Hypothetically speaking, let’s say Sandy Alderson and company were not willing to go over $18.4 million, that would mean Syndergaard left for the money.
If that was the case, then I would totally understand that.
But, Syndergaard himself made comments such as “I’m fairly confident that we will reach an agreement and I’ll be pitching here next year” as in Queens, New York. While also saying “It’s something I’d be extremely grateful for” was his response when being asked about the possibility of being offered the QO.
He could have avoided answering these questions but instead decided to give Met fans an indication that he will re-sign. He was offered the QO, to me sounds like if I am offered the QO I will accept it. These words are what Met fans are going to be upset with what has transpired.
This is a big loss for the Mets as they needed top starting pitching before Syndergaard was gone, however, the organization is not at fault for Syndergaard departing.
Photo: Frank Franklun II | AP
