Three potential trade targets have very different nights, as Mets top White Sox in extras

With the trade deadline looming, there are four Mets whose names have been tossed around as potential pieces to be moved. Three of them (missing only Zack Wheeler) played last night for the Mets, and all played integral, though not all great, roles in their 5-2 victory over the White Sox.

In what may, in further proof that we live in an unjust world, be his final start for New York Mets, Noah Syndergaard looked downright dominant for most of his seven and a third innings against the Chicago White Sox. Striking out 11, walking just one, and scattering five hits and an unearned run, Syndergaard looked every bit the ace that is drawing attention from all over baseball on the eve of the trade deadline.

Early on, it looked like it may be an especially good night for Syndergaard, as he kept the Sox hitless until the fifth inning, and the Mets gave him a two-run lead to work with. He was in control and efficient with his pitches, and that was the only real issue until the eighth inning.

Yolmer Sanchez led off the eighth with a single, followed in short order by an Adam Engel single which, due to a Jeff McNeil error, led to second and third with no outs. Syndergaard buckled down, and struck out Leury Garcia to end his night. Justin Wilson came in to face Jon Jay and gave up a weak bunt-single, loading the bases with one out.

Seth Lugo then came in and acted as the fireman he is, inducing an inning ending, and lead saving, double play.

Edwin Diaz entered the ninth with a one-run lead. He promptly walked Ryan Goins, hit Jame McCann, threw a wild pitch, and then tied the game on a Tim Anderson sacrifice fly. Yet another blown save, and a poorly timed one, if the Mets do want to trade away Diaz (which, for the record, is most likely a bad idea). That pushed the game into extras.

The game was won in the top of the eleventh inning, when Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto went back to back to put the Mets up for good, 5-2. Robert Gsellman collected the win, and pitched two solid innings in relief. In what might be a bit too metatextual for a game recap, it is fitting that while the trade bait players all affected the early parts of the game, the players who aren’t going anywhere won it for the good guys.

The third of the potential traded players, Todd Frazier singled, and scored on a ground out in the second inning, giving the Mets the early lead against Reynaldo Lopez. However, it was his error at third base that cost Syndergaard the only run scored against him.

The Mets are back at it tomorrow, with Wheeler scheduled for a start, but who knows what the intervening hours will bring. Whoever starts for the Mets will be facing the White Sox’s Lucas Giolito.

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What’s WPA?

Big winners: Seth Lugo,+39.3% WPA, Jeff McNeil, +26.2% WPA, Robert Gsellman, +17.7% WPA, Amed Rosario, +16.4% WPA, Michael Conforto, +14.6% WPA, Noah Syndergaard, +10.5%WPA

Big losers: Edwin Diaz,-30.1% WPA, Wilson Ramos, -17.3% WPA, Robinson Cano, -14.0% WPA, Tomas Nido,-10.4% WPA

Total pitcher WPA: +36.7% WPA

Total batter WPA: +13.3% WPA

Teh aw3s0mest play: Jeff McNeil’s two run home run in the bottom of the 11th, +36.1% WPA

Teh sux0rest play: Adam Engel’s nearly game-turning single in the eighth against Syndergaard, -28.3% WPA