One scenario the Mets are pondering to maximize return is to include Edwin Diaz and Zack Wheeler in the same trade.

The Mets continue to mull different permutations as they consider 16 teams serious at some level about Diaz, Wheeler and/or Noah Syndergaard. The strong belief of those reached who have talked to the Mets is that all three will be moved by the 4 p.m. Wednesday deadline because the frequency of talks has heightened and so has the detail within the negotiations.

Plus, the market has broken in the Mets’ favor. The Yankees, Dodgers and Astros each have a large division lead, but still hunger for either a starter and/or reliever. Overall there were 18 teams either in a playoff spot or within five games, almost all are buyers and most buyers are seeking pitching — particularly high-end pitching. In Syndergaard, and perhaps even Diaz, the Mets might have the most talented starter and closer available.

No contender is going to want to surrender valuable chips for another starter or late-game reliever then find out that would have put them in the game for Syndergaard and/or Diaz. That combined with the Mets wanting the ticking clock of the deadline to further pressure better bids makes it most likely that no significant Mets trade will occur before Tuesday.

The Mets also are helped that many clubs that are considering moving a top starter are vexed whether to do it or not because they are contenders such as the Indians (Trevor Bauer) and Giants (Madison Bumgarner) or are currently not hearing good enough returns to move a starter such as the Tigers (Matt Boyd), Rangers (Mike Minor) and Diamondbacks (Robbie Ray). That gives the Mets further opportunity to act. And, for example, the Mets now have heard enough desire for Wheeler that the chances of keeping him and offering the qualifying offer has significantly dimmed.

As for putting Wheeler and Diaz in the same deal it is not a unique concept in this market. For example, the Blue Jays (Marcus Stroman/Ken Giles) and Tigers (Boyd/Shane Greene) have been among those who have contemplated it as a way to sweeten offers. The Mets have heard enough that they would only deal Syndergaard by himself.

The Padres remain the most likely landing place for the righty, in part because they have so much young talent to create different concepts for the Mets to ponder. The Braves did not view themselves as serious candidates for Syndergaard and might only have been prominently scouted by the Mets because they have a deep system and it was an attempt to get the Padres to upgrade their offers.

Among the many scenarios the Mets have mulled in trades is three-team deals in which talent would be redirected to a club such as the Blue Jays so that part of the Mets’ return is an established starter such as Stroman, a concept first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The volume and diversity of offers were flowing over the weekend from so many different teams craving pitching that the Mets’ belief that they will be substantial sellers by 4 p.m. Wednesday was growing and growing.