Noah Syndergaard, Mets have avoided arbitration with a $9.7 million deal

As he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, Noah Syndergaard has avoided arbitration with the New York Mets.

The New York Mets seem set to add to their starting rotation this offseason, via free agency (Trevor Bauer?) or trade (Yu Darvish?), but they are formally bringing back a familiar face. According to the New York Post and others, Noah Syndergaard has avoided arbitration with the Mets with a one-year, $9.7 million deal for 2021.

Syndergaard was slated to receive the same amount last season, before it became prorated for the shortened season. He also did not pitch in 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery last March, and he’ll hit free agency next offseason.

Earlier this month Mets president Sandy Alderson said Syndergaard could return to the mound in June.

Where will Noah Syndergaard fit in the Mets’ rotation?

Syndergaard of course last pitched in 2019, when he went 10-8 with a 4.28 ERA (3.60 FIP), a 9.2 K/9 and a 2.3 BB/9 over a career-high 32 starts and a career-high 197.2 innings. A torn lat limited him to seven starts in 2017, and he followed by going 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA (2.80 FIP) over 25 starts in 2018.

As of now, Jacob deGrom is locked in as the Mets’ unquestioned No. 1 starter. Marcus Stroman accepted a qualifying offer to return after opting out of the 2020 season. Those two would be followed by David Peterson, Seth Lugo and Steven Matz to fill out the starting rotation if the season started tomorrow.

Syndergaard’s healthy return in June could be a real mid-season spark to the Mets. But they aren’t inclined to stand pat this offseason, and of the aforementioned quintet only deGrom and Stroman are locked into a rotation spot right now.

Imagine Syndergaard, with a rehabilitated and fresh arm ready to pitch like he did over2018 and 2019 (3.73 ERA, 3.25 FIP; 9.1 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 in 57 combined starts), serving as the Mets’ No. 4 starter when he comes back.