Phillies rumors: Former Mets pitcher a potential trade target

Recent Philadelphia Phillies rumors have connected them to a potential trade for former New York Mets pitcher and longtime foe Noah Syndergaard.

Noah Syndergaard back in the National League East and not pitching for the New York Mets? If the latest Philadelphia Phillies rumors come true, it’s going to happen.

In their pursuit of starting pitching help, recent Phillies rumors have connected them to a former foe, Syndergaard. The longtime rival who left the Mets in the offseason to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels could be changing coasts again and re-entering the playoff race.

The MLB trade deadline is finally awake in Philadelphia.

Phillies rumors: Noah Syndergaard possibly coming back to the NL East

Syndergaard could be exactly what the Phillies need, can afford, and will land before the MLB trade deadline is over. The team has been unwilling to part with any of their top prospects. One would have to imagine that Syndergaard, on a declining Angels ball club at least fielding offers for Shohei Ohtani, could be had for salary relief.

There isn’t a pitcher out there more familiar with the division than him. Even if he tossed just two innings from 2020-2021, Syndergaard was a star from mid-2015 through the end of 2019. He is also the most recent pitcher to start a playoff game for the Mets. A year prior to that, he won a World Series game for them in 2015.

Mets fans won’t fear this deal. He’s not quite the same pitcher. Far more intimidating to look at than to actually face, the once prolific strikeout pitcher has seen a big decrease in that area this year. He is fanning batters at a rate of only 7.2 per 9 innings which isn’t all that great of a match for the Phillies and their lackluster defense.

But because the Phillies rumors indicate they don’t want to trade any major pieces from the farm, they may have to settle for a less powerful Syndergaard. Still an obvious upgrade over anyone else the organization could possibly put out there while Zach Eflin is hurt, no one should be shocked to see him reunite with former Mets teammate Zack Wheeler by the end of the day.