Could San Diego Padres and New York Mets be potential trade partners

2 of 3

Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets as a potential trade target for San Diego Padres. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

We look at whether or not the San Diego Padres and New York Mets could lineup as trade partners this offseason to help each other out.

Earlier this offseason we looked at potential trade partners from the NL East with the San Diego Padres.

At that time we mentioned Noah Syndergaard and Yoenis Cespedes as potential targets for the Padres from the Mets.

But a lot has changed since then and things have become a lot clearer.

While I believe San Diego would still love to trade for Syndergaard, the Mets have made it clear he’s not available as they are trying to contend going into 2020.

I still think if the Mets realize they’re the team out in a highly competitive NL East division, they might try to trade Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman during the season.

At that time the Padres could certainly be in play for either. But for now, it sounds like Thor is off limits.

As for Cespedes, it’s been quite an interesting offseason for him as it was reported his ankle injury came from an incident with a wild board.

And because of that, the Mets were able to cut his base pay for 2020 from $29.6 million to just $6 million. That number could go as high as $20 million if he makes 650 plate appearances, and there are other milestones that could see his salary go back up.

Still, it would be way too risky for the Padres to trade for someone like Cespedes, but the reward could be an All-Star outfielder with a cannon in left field.

Austin Hedges #18 of the San Diego Padres. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Likely trade targets

It’s been rumored (unverified source) that the Mets could be looking to upgrade defensively at catcher, which makes a lot of sense with the great pitching staff they have and inabilities of Wilson Ramos behind the plate.

We all know that the Padres have been looking to deal Austin Hedges this offseason and he would be an ideal fit for what the Mets are looking for.

Hedges is known to be one of the best — if not the best — defensive catcher in all of baseball. If the Mets do indeed want a defensive first catcher to back-up Ramos and someone who isn’t very expensive, then Hedges makes a ton of sense.

The question I have as a Padres fan is what would San Diego want in return?

Obviously Syndergaard isn’t going to happen in a trade for Hedges, but is there something else they could offer to help this team contend in 2020 and going forward?

Brandon Nimmo is a name I’ve heard suggested a lot in a potential trade with the Mets, but Hedges alone wouldn’t be near enough for that to work.

J.D. Davis might make more sense, but with five years of control left and coming off a 2.4 WAR season the Mets would probably want more.

There is no indication the Mets are willing to trade Steven Matz, but if they were he could be an interesting player to get in return. He has two years of control left and has the upside of a number two or three starter (will be the Mets number four starter in 2020).

Outside of those players, I don’t see anyone else currently on the Mets’ 40-man roster that makes a lot of sense.

Austin Hedges #18 of the San Diego Padres. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

A potential trade

More from Friars on Base

Earlier this offseason the Mets traded for center fielder Jake Marisnick securing their outfield rotation. So I don’t see a fit for the Padres to pair an outfielder like Manuel Margot or Josh Naylor with Hedges.

While I would love for the Padres to land Nimmo, I just don’t see the Mets parting with him even if San Diego attached a good prospect with Hedges.

The problem is the Mets want to win in 2020, so why would they trade crucial pieces of their roster for a back-up catcher in Hedges?

I really think the only trade that makes sense here is a prospect trade for Hedges. The Mets aren’t likely to give up anyone of significance from their big league roster.

Instead, we could see a very similar deal to the one the Mets made to land Jake Marisnick who is essentially the center field version of Hedges (a defensive first player).

New York gave up two Minor League players for Marisnick. But, Marisnick is a free agent after the 2020 season and Hedges has three years of control left, so that makes the catcher a little more valuable.

I could see the Mets trading a high upside prospect like right-handed pitcher Ryley Gilliam (16th ranked Mets prospect) and then a young, low-level prospect for Hedges.

San Diego could then use the $3 million saved by trading Hedges and the prospects gained to make another trade that helps upgrade the team for 2020 and beyond.

I’m just having a hard time seeing where the Mets and Padres match up for a Major League player trade as both teams want to compete in 2020.

Next. Get pumped. dark

Let me know in the comments below if you think these two teams are a match and what you’re potential trades might look like.

Home / Padres News

We look at whether or not the San Diego Padres and New York Mets could lineup as trade partners this offseason to help each other out.

Likely trade targets

A potential trade

More from Friars on Base

Schedule