Milwaukee Brewers: Are they working on a deadline deal with the New York Mets?

The Milwaukee Brewers are still in first place in the NL Central at the start of June. The New York Mets are five games below .500, and look like they’ll have tough decisions to make soon. Could the Brewers and Mets end up as trade partners?

If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to secure a division title and play into October, they need to add pitching. The New York Mets have a pair of starting pitchers that would look awesome at the top of Milwaukee’s rotation. Noah Syndergaard is sure to be at the top of everyone’s list, but is Jacob deGrom a better fit for the Brewers?

How likely are the Mets to sell?

It’s not certain that the Mets will make moves at the deadline. However, they have a creaky roster, a mediocre farm system, and need new talent. A recent editorial from SNY echoed these exact sentiments. If there isn’t a dramatic improvement soon, Mets GM Sandy Alderson will have to consider dealing at the deadline.

Would deGrom or Syngergaard fit in Milwaukee?

Absolutely. Either option would instantly become the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers rotation.

It just depends how much coaxing the Mets would need. Any deal that gets Alderson on the phone would start with Brewers top prospects Corbin Burnes and Keston Hiura. The Brewers would have to add in a few more names to make the deal work, but they do have the prospects that the Mets would need to move either starter.

How would the Brewers look after a deal for a Mets starter?

The Milwaukee Brewers farm system would move from the upper half of the league into the bottom 10. But, they would acquire the top-level starter that their rotation needed this past off season. We’ve seen the Brewers deal for starters such as Zack Greinke and CC Sabathia in the past, a deal for Syndergaard or deGrom would likely provide a similar boost, even if it gutted the farm system.

Which starter should the Brewers target?

deGrom is in the middle of best season in a Mets uniform. In 72 1/3 innings of work, deGrom has racked up 98 strikeouts with only 21 walks. He owns a 1.49 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.

Syndergaard has suffered a finger strain that has him on the DL, but he’s almost been as good. In 64 2/3 innigs, Syndergaard has struck out 76 and walked only 13. His ERA sits at 3.06, while his WHIP is only 1.18.

Next: Should the Brewers deal for Chris Archer?

Syndergaard has the bigger name, but he also comes with greater injury concerns. Syndergaard is also in his age-25 season, and has three more years of arbitration before free agency. deGrom is in his age 29-season, and has two more years of arbitration left. It really depends on what kind of deal Milwaukee Brewers GM David Stearns can work out, but both options would be a great fit.