Brodie Van Wagenen has already declared two underperformers from the Mets pitching staff off limits for trades.
Edwin Diaz and Noah Syndergaard were both dangled at the last trade deadline, but the general manager is intent on starting 2020 with both still on the team.
“There has been speculation we will be trading some of the players off our roster,” Van Wagenen said Thursday. “Two that were talked about heavily at the trade deadline and I presume will be asked about in the offseason, but before all those questions come, I think this group should be aware that Edwin Diaz is going to be on this team next year. That’s our full expectation, and Noah Syndergaard is going to be on our team next year.”
Diaz bombed in his first season with the Mets, going 2-7 with a 5.59 ERA with seven blown saves in 33 chances. The Mets acquired the right-hander with Robinson Cano in a deal that sent prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn to the Mariners with Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak and Gerson Bautista. Diaz spent the final two months removed from the closer’s role, as Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson shared those duties.
“I do think Edwin personally took a lot of heat for his performances,” Van Wagenen said. “I know I did as well, but Edwin still saved 26 games for us this year. … But we feel good about the talent those two players possess and we are confident they both will be helping us make contributions in this upcoming 2020 season.”
The Mets could lose Zack Wheeler to free agency, increasing the value of Syndergaard to the rotation, even after a sluggish 2019 season in which he went 10-8 with a 4.28 ERA. Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz and Marcus Stroman are all either signed for next season or under club control. Syndergaard is under club control through 2021.