New York Mets Rumors: Noah Syndergaard to the bullpen?

In one of the latest New York Mets rumors, it involves a move that would be a huge change for their prospect Noah Syndergaard.

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Mets rumors have recently been about what hitter they may target to help a lineup that has struggled most of the season. Now, according to the New York Post, there has been a discussion in the Mets’ organization about moving Syndergaard into the bullpen.

The Mets’ pitching rotation is overcrowded already, and the Mets will be calling up rookie Steven Matz sometime before the All-Star break making things even more complicated.

One area of need for the Mets is a few additional arms in the bullpen to setup closer Jeurys Familia. Syndergaard certainly has the ability to be a dominant force in the bullpen with his great fastball and devastating curveball, but giving up on him as a starter seems absurd.

Bobby Parnell recently made his return to the mound for the first time since surgery, but the Mets don’t know what they’ll be getting from Parnell. Since surgery, Parnell’s velocity on his fastball has dropped, and that may lead to a big adjustment period for Parnell.

The need for help in the bullpen became glaring when Familia was unavailable on Saturday afternoon, and the Mets’ bullpen blew a lead to the Atlanta Braves, which cost Jacob deGrom a win.

This season, Syndergaard is 2-4 with a 4.15 ERA with the Mets. His two most recent starts against the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants have been poor, and with Matz knocking on the door, the Mets have decisions to make on how to fit him in.

In Triple-A, Matz is 6-4 with a 2.30 ERA and is averaging slightly more than a strikeout an inning.

The Mets should be committed to Syndergaard in their rotation, and in the meantime have promoted Single-A closer Akeel Morris. Morris has been good as the closer this season at Port St. Lucie, as he has totaled 13 saves with 1.69 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in 32 innings.

Talk of moving Syndergaard to the bullpen is rather shocking, as he has been talked about a fixture in the rotation for years to come. The Mets are ready to promote Matz soon, but moving another young pitcher out of the rotation seems counter-productive.

Sandy Alderson and the Mets’ brass still needs to find a way to move Dillon Gee and Jon Niese to avoid having conversations like moving Syndergaard to the bullpen.

Syndergaard will be looking to bounce back from two poor starts on Monday night against the dangerous Toronto Blue Jays.

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