Noah Syndergaard's name was out there in trade rumors last offseason and again this past season, and Edwin Diaz joined him in the rumor mill during the summer. But don't expect their names to be out there this winter.
Speaking Thursday after discussing the decision to move on from manager Mickey Callaway, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen -- unprompted -- all but guaranteed that Syndergaard and Diaz will be on the Mets when the 2020 season begins.
"I know it hasn't been asked necessarily, but there's been speculation that we would be trading some of the players off of our roster," Van Wagenen said. "Two in particular that were talked heavily about at the trade deadline I presume we'll be asked about here in the offseason. But before all those questions come I think this group should be aware that Edwin Diaz is gonna be on our team next year. That's our full expectation. And Noah Syndergaard is gonna be on our team next year."
SNY's Andy Martino reported Monday that the Mets' inability to find a palatable deal, combined with the lack of momentum in extension talks with Zack Wheeler, led them to their current position that Syndergaard is unlikely to be traded this offseason.
If the Mets keep Syndergaard, it's fair to believe that marks the end of Wheeler's time in Queens. But the team is likely to extend a qualifying offer to Wheeler, which leaves the door open for a potential return.
While discussing Syndergaard (under team control through 2021) and Diaz (under team control through 2022), Van Wagenen said they have been viewed since this summer as part of the solution going forward.
"We had to make some tough decisions at the trade deadline but many of those decisions were rooted in planning forward to the 2020 season and both of those players remained with us after the trade deadline," Van Wagenen said. "And we intend to have them be that way heading into Spring Training."
After making his final start of the season on Sept. 29, Syndergaard expressed confidence that he would be a Met in 2020.
"I try to just focus on the controllables and (possibly being traded) is completely out of my control," Syndergaard said. "I'm confident that, going into spring training next year, we'll be reporting to beautiful Port St. Lucie and being a Met. I love being a Met. It has a special place in my heart."
Diaz, whose struggles this season resulted in his removal as the closer and periods where he was rendered basically unusable, said late in September that one bad season wouldn't define him.
"When the season ends, I'm going to relax at home for a little bit and then I'm going to get right back to work at 200 percent," Diaz told SNY's Steve Gelbs. "One bad season doesn't determine if you're a bad pitcher or not. I had three great seasons in Seattle and that's not a coincidence."