San Diego Padres: Realistic trade targets to bolster starting rotation

Noah Syndergaard

Noah Syndergaard seems to be linked through trade rumors with the Padres every season at this point. For a handful of years now, the Padres have needed an established starting pitcher, and the Mets have been on the brink of rebuilding.

If ever the Padres wanted to make a big splash and land an ace that would be their clear-cut number one option, it would be Syndergaard.

Still only 27, the right-hander has a career ERA of 3.31 and a K/BB per 9 ratio of 9.7/2.1. He is a flame thrower with still a ton of upside to discover, which makes it obvious why the Padres have been interested in him for so long.

Syndergaard will probably have a very large price tag, which creates a risky yet enticing situation for the Padres in that regard.

With the prospect capital to make this deal, the Padres could pull the trigger if both sides are truly interested.

The upside, other than the statistics that jump out at you, are his team-friendly contract that has him locked up through 2021.

New York has said publicly they’re not interested in trading Syndergaard this offseason and they plan on making a run at things again in 2019. So if this trade were to happen it would probably have to take place during the season.