One day closer to trade deadline day, and we’re beginning to hear buzz about the package the Mets are assembling to acquire shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. According to Yahoo! Sports Jeff Passan, the Mets are prepared to offer right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard in a deal for the shortstop.

Last week, former Mets GM Jim Duquette speculated that a pitching-heavy package of Zack Wheeler, Rafael Montero and Dominic Smith would be the beginning point of any negotiations for Tulowitzki. By offering Syndergaard it indicates the Mets feel comfortable with their pitching depth, even if Bartolo Colon is trade bait.

Of course, trading a three-time All-Star and fan favorite isn’t easy. Passan noted that the Rockies don’t want any negative publicity from a Tulowitzki trade and will likely hold onto him unless he requests to be moved.

Rather quickly, the relationship between Tulowtizki and the Rockies has soured. On Saturday, the Rockies organization held a promotion that saw the first 15,000 fans given Tulowitzki shirts with his name misspelled. Then on Sunday, Tulo and his family made a trip to Yankee Stadium to admire Derek Jeter, and in doing so broke unofficial baseball decorum.

The Mets’ purse strings are also a factor, as Tulowitzki will make $20 million in 2015. It’s not often one of the top players in the game becomes available, so competition for Tulo’s services will be stiff. It’s also entirely likely Tulowitzki’s best days are behind him, as the 29-year-old hasn’t played in more than 130 games since 2011 and is currently on the disabled list until after the deadline.

The Mets have the pitching prospects to acquire a big name and there probably won’t be another chance to grab an elite player. At least this is a deadline where Mets fans can consider what’s coming into the organization, rather than what’s leaving it.