Mets Reportedly Targeting Manuel Margot in Trade Talks With Padres for Noah Syndergaard
By Karl Rasmussen
Noah Syndergaard is widely expected to be dealt from New York ahead of the trade deadline, and one team who has constantly popped up in rumors is the San Diego Padres.
ESPN's Buster Olney now reports that the Mets and Padres have held extensive discussions over a possible Syndergaard deal, and it seems the Mets are seeking a young outfielder in exchange. Olney claims Manuel Margot has been a name frequently brought up in those talks.
Padres-Mets have talked extensively about Syndergaard, and Manuel Margot has been a part of that. Mets need up-the-middle help
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 28, 2019
This is certainly an interesting development, and Mets fans better hope that Margot isn't considered a key piece in the deal. Syndergaard at his best is one of the game's most feared pitchers, while Margot has scarcely been above average during his stints in the majors.
The Mets better be asking for a lot more on top of Margot if Thor is to be moved, otherwise the fan base might just riot.
Manuel Margot would be basically a replacement for Juan Lagares on the cheap for next season. He should not be the center of a deal here. https://t.co/1fCJvD84DO
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) July 28, 2019
While the Mets are in clear need of outfielders, Margot very likely doesn't present the solution to the future of center field in Queens.
In 95 games in 2019, Margot has 6 home runs and 20 RBI. The 24-year-old is slashing .245/.318/.386, good for a .704 OPS, not exactly what Mets fans would be hoping for in exchange for a pitcher of Syndergaard's caliber.