MLB Trade Rumors: Mets Didn't Accept Noah Syndergaard For JT Realmuto Deal

A deal that would have seen J.T. Realmuto go to the New York Mets and Noah Syndergaard go to the Miami Marlins was possible, only for the former to reject the trade.

Realmuto is on the trade market after his agent revealed he would not sign a contract extension with the Miami Marlins, and is arguably the best available player in his position as a catcher.

At one point being over a dozen teams interested in trading for him, it was reported earlier this month that the Mets, Yankees and Marlins had discussed a three-team trade for the 27-year-old, though it was initially noted that the Mets would not agree to the deal if they were only getting Realmuto in return, as he had two years of team control left compared to Syndergaard who had three.

Two-team trades were also discussed as given the likelihood of a deal between the two New York rivals not happening, the Mets had reportedly changed their approach to a direct swap which could have seen the duo of Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo go to Miami. There were also reports that another three-team deal could take place which would send Syndergaard to the San Diego Padres.

In the end, no trade agreement was reached as the Mets went on to sign Wilson Ramos on a two-year, $19 million contract after giving up on their pursuit of Realmuto.

According to SNY.tv's Andy Martino though, the Mets could have done a straight-swap with Syndergaard and Realmuto, only to reject it.

It's not entirely surprising as while Realmuto would have been a great acquisition, his arrival would have come at the cost of weaker pitching with the departure of Syndergaard. Instead, the Mets have been praised by some for signing a two-time All-Star catcher in Ramos.

As for Realmuto, interest in him will not dwindle from other teams. According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the likes of the Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Padres, Atlanta Braves, Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are interested, along with two other unknown teams.

“You’re talking about a premium position, so there should be interest and I’m not surprised,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said of the interest in Realmuto. “But in terms of sheer volume that we’d had to work through, it has been unique.”

Realmuto's agent Jeff Berry notably revealed in October that his client had informed Marlins ownership that he would not renew his deal once it was up in two years.

“[Realmuto] has informed the Marlins ownership, informed their front office that he’s not going to sign an extension in Miami," Berry said. "From that standpoint, you can keep him for two years or not. It makes sense when you have one of the more valuable trade assets in baseball to move him, period."