Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen reiterated his strong belief that Noah Syndergaard and Edwin Diaz aren't going anywhere next season.
Van Wagenen addressed the status of his pitchers in the aftermath of the team's decision to fire Mickey Callaway on Thursday. Callaway spent the past two years as the team's manager, but was dismissed after the Mets failed to make the postseason for a season straight season. It wasn't a friendly 2019 for Syndergaard, earning a career-high 4.28 ERA, either.
"Noah Syndergaard will be on our team next year," Van Wagenen said on a conference call.
Syndergaard's name was heavily involved in trade deadline rumors, but the Mets opted to keep the 27-year-old pitcher. There was a bit of dramatics this season regarding Syndergaard's expressed frustration of having Wilson Ramos behind the plate during his outings. He brushed off the severity of the discussion by saying it was his intention to have an open dialogue with the team. Despite the lackluster season where he finished with 10-8, Syndergaard struck out 200 batters for the second time in his career.
Syndergaard is eligible for arbitration for the next two years before he becomes an unrestricted free agent following the 2021 season. Along with Syndergaard, Van Wagenen says it's his strong expectation for closer Edwin Diaz to remain with the team next season.
Diaz didn't get off on the right foot in his first season in New York. He didn't look like the same pitcher the Mets acquired after recording 65 saves with Seattle in 2018. He faced immense criticism and eventually lost his closing duties to Seth Lugo in the latter portion of the season. Diaz finished the season with a 5.59 ERA and seven blown saves. The 15 home runs Diaz allowed in the ninth inning is a major league record.
Van Wagenen, however, isn't losing faith in the 25-year-old pitcher.
"This group should be aware that Edwin Diaz is going to be on our team," Van Wagenen said. " ... That's our full expectation. We had to make some tough decisions at the trade deadline, but many of those decisions are rooted in planning for the 2020 season. Both of those players remained with us after the trade deadline and we intend to have them be that way heading into Spring Training."
Syndergaard and Diaz are likely to stay in New York, but Zack Wheeler is reportedly moving on according to SNY's Andy Martino.
Mets brass held onto Wheeler for a potential playoff run despite becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Wheeler set a career high with 195.1 innings pitched and 195 strikeouts, capping off a stellar season in his contract year. The Yankees, Rays and Astros were all rumored to have heavy interest at the trade deadline, so Wheeler will have no issue finding a new home next season.
