It seemed like a lock that Noah Syndergaard would be a Met in 2022. They gave the $18.4 million qualifying offer to a pitcher who had pitched two innings over two years. The Angels came in and offered $21 million and Syndergaard’s days of seemingly wanting to be a Met came to an end. He bolted for the West Coast for the extra $2.6 million.

The Mets are also closing in on bringing in a new general manager in ex-Angels GM Billy Eppler. He will join Sandy Alderson in trying to replace Syndergaard and fill the other holes on this Mets roster. To talk Syndergaard, Eppler and everything going on in Mets-land, we bring you an emergency episode of the “Amazin’ But True” podcast with me and Nelson Figueroa.

‘Amazin’ But True’ Podcast with Jake & Figgie:

• GOODBYE NOAH: Syndergaard is off to the Angels. He was a big question mark. This isn’t the end of the world for the Mets. They get a draft pick and they could always sign him to a deal after the 2022 season if they really want to. Angels gave him $21 million. They badly need pitching and maybe he has a big year and earns a long-term lucrative contract next winter. Had some great years with the Mets, but has been injury prone and has pitched just two innings in the past two years.
• NEW GM: Not official yet, but looks like Eppler will be the new Mets general manager. He made some good moves with the Angels, but in the end, they were a bad team during his tenure. It’s an underwhelming move, but the list was getting slim after striking out on all the top candidates. The hope is he has a nice offseason and can bring his pal David Stearns in next winter to become the new president of baseball operations. Eppler will have a lot of work to do with this roster, especially in the rotation now.
• STARTING PITCHING: Signing Marcus Stroman to a deal is now even more important with Syndergaard gone. He has earned a nice contract and Mets will have to spend big. They need at least two high-end starting pitchers with all the question marks in the rotation. Who will they end up signing?
• RIP PEDRO AND JULIO: Figgie honors his former teammates Pedro Feliciano and Julio Lugo after they both passed away from heart attacks. Figgie shares how he found out the news while at Mets fantasy camp and what made both guys so special to him and to the game of baseball.

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Catch up on all episodes of “Amazin’ But True,” a New York Mets podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Jake Brown on Twitter and Instagram @JakeBrownRadio and Nelson Figueroa @FiggieNY. Follow the podcast on Twitter @AmazinButTrue.