Syndergaard willing to bet on himself in FA: 'I trust my ability'
New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard doesn't see the recent extensions signed by Luis Severino and Aaron Nola as precedents for a deal of his own. In the midst of a frigid free-agent market for the second consecutive offseason, the right-handed hurler is willing to bet on himself.
"I trust my ability and the talent that I have. So I feel like I'm going to bet (on) myself in free agency and not do what they did," Syndergaard told Tim Britton of The Athletic. "But if it's fair for both sides and they approach me on it, then maybe we can talk."
Nola recently signed an extension with the Philadelphia Phillies worth $45 million over four years, while Severino signed a four-year, $40-million pact with the New York Yankees. Both deals have been viewed as relatively team-friendly.
Syndergaard - who is under team control for three more seasons and will hit free agency in 2022 - disclosed that the Mets haven't talked to him about an extension yet.
"I'm always open. If they're going to come knock on the door, of course I'll listen," Syndergaard said. "But they haven't approached me and I haven't approached them. There's been no traction."
In addition to Syndergaard, the Mets still need to get fellow starters Zack Wheeler and 2018 NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom under contract, as they will be free agents after the 2019 and 2020 seasons, respectively.
Syndergaard's career numbers with New York include a 37-22 record with a 2.93 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 573 strikeouts in 518 1/3 innings over four seasons.