How Mets shopping Noah Syndergaard affects Madison Bumgarner trade market

Another game-changing pitcher has been added to the list of available trade targets as the MLB trade deadline approaches: Noah Syndergaard

On Thursday, ESPN's Buster Olney said the Mets reportedly "want to move" their star pitcher. This could change things for the Madison Bumgarner sweepstakes:

Rival evaluators say they believe the Mets are fully intent on dealing Noah Syndergaard before the trade deadline. "It's beyond listening," said one. "They want to move him."
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 25, 2019

Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.

This comes on the heels of Wednesday's tweet from Olney that the Mets reportedly were seriously listening on Thor's trade value. It now appears more serious than that.

Other than Bumgarner, there aren't many other available starting pitchers. Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman and Indians' Trevor Bauer are two of the other bigger names available, but that's about it.

With Syndergaard available -- who is under contract through the 2021 season -- he now becomes the No. 1 pitcher on the market, with free-agent-to-be Bumgarner sliding in behind him. With potential suitors looking at two-plus years of team control with Thor compared to only two months worth of Bumgarner, the same teams who could pursue the Giants ace now might turn their attention to Syndergaard

I know what you're thinking -- Syndergaard's numbers don't match up with MadBum's, and sure, you'd be right.

San Francisco Giants

Blake Snell 5 mins ago

What we learned as Snell struggles again in Giants' loss to D-backs

Logan Webb Apr 18

Webb, Yastrzemski lead way in Giants' most complete win of season

In Syndergaard's last five starts, he's 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA, including 33 strikeouts in 31.2 frames.

Bumgarner's numbers ... well, in his last five he's boasting a 1.80 ERA with a 4-1 record; 30 strikeouts in as many innings. There's also another report from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand saying the Giants could become buyers at the deadline -- especially if they're still in the wild-card chase.

*Sigh*

We all know Bumgarner thrives during October baseball, but if Syndergaard gets the change of scenery away from the Mets, he could become the guy we're used to seeing on the mound in the playoffs.

Nevertheless, knowing he's now more seriously on the market could make for an even more interesting deadline.