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Blue Jays: Way Too Early 2021 Free Agent Targets

By Callum Belshaw

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks toward the dugout after retiring the side against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks toward the dugout after retiring the side against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 08: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 08: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Noah Syndergaard

The Mets may find themselves in some financial trouble next offseason.  New owner Steve Cohen has stated that he doesn’t want to surpass the competitive balance tax threshold.  The Mets are just 25 million dollars under that mark and have multiple players hitting free agency next offseason that will need substantial contracts like Michael Conforto , Francisco Lindor, Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard.

If the Mets are as determined as they say they are to stay under the luxury tax, they may have to make a tough design on one or two of these players.  Because of this, Syndergaard may be on his way out of Queens next winter, and if this materializes, the Jays should be heavily interested in bringing back their once prized prospect.

Syndergaard has been a fantastic pitcher over the course of his career, posting a 3.31 ERA over his six years in the bigs.  He utilizes his power fastball, that regularly touches 100 mph, to rack up a large amount of strikeouts, posting a 9.7 K/9 ratio during his time with the Mets.

Syndergaard has been bitten by the injury bug a couple of times, missing most of the 2017 season due to bicep tendonitis and then missing all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Syndergaard is still currently on the 60 day IL, but is hoping to return by mid-season.  If he can get a half season under his belt and show he’s healthy, his stock should rise heading into next winter and make him one of the more intriguing bounce back candidates on the market.

Syndergaard is only 27 years old and with the swing and miss stuff he possesses, I’d be willing to take a chance on him if he can show that he is healthy during the second half of the season.  If he’s healthy, bringing in Syndergaard could create a scary one, two punch with Hyun Jin Ryu and be really tough for an opposing team in a playoff series.

Mock Contract- 1 year 15 mil

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