Yankees: 3 rival free agents NYY should sign this offseason

2. Noah Syndergaard

Genuinely, what kind of money is Noah Syndergaard getting this offseason? One year at Corey Kluber’s price? Two?

If so, Matt Blake and the Yankees’ pitching factory should be all OVER saving their crosstown rival and helping him rehabilitate his career.

The last time we saw Syndergaard, he was in the midst of his “worst” MLB season at the age of 26, striking out 202 men in 197.2 innings pitched and sporting a 3.60 FIP, over a half-run better than his ERA (4.28).

Then he succumbed to Tommy John surgery, and the narrative flipped. Now that the Mets have slipped out of contention, he’s finally on the verge of returning, rehabbing at the minor-league level in recent days.

Syndergaard certainly fits the narrative of recent Yankees acquisitions like Kluber and Taillon, who were at least equally perilous before joining the Bombers and delivering net positive results (when on the field). There was also a time a few years back when acquiring the power righty would’ve cost either Gary Sanchez or $160 million. Those times have passed, and for that reason alone, the Yanks should consider taking the plunge.

Nothing about the Mets’ handling of their eccentric ace has been above board, and they certainly wish they’d unloaded him to the Padres a few years back when they had the chance. This offseason, the Yankees will get a shot to make them pay by signing a 29-year-old with a potential Hall of Fame career still ahead of him.