NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 22: Wilson Ramos #40 and Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets walk in from the bullpen beofre the game against the Cleveland Indians at Citi Field on August 22, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Mets heading to the finish line with no confidence in the bullpen

Mets heading to the finish line with no confidence in the bullpen by Tim Boyle

What’s the resolution for the disconnect between New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard and starting catcher Wilson Ramos?

Throughout the season, New York Mets pitchers have shown some dislike for throwing to catcher Wilson Ramos. In June, Jacob deGrom voiced his opinion about throwing to Ramos but Mets management didn’t make any changes.

deGrom proceeded to figure things out and is finishing the year with Cy Young caliber numbers. This past week, a private conversation that Noah Syndergaard had with management about not wanting to throw to Ramos leaked to the media.

Clearly, something about Ramos’ catching is affecting the way Syndergaard pitches. Andy Martino of SNY reported that it is Ramos’ pitch receiving on low pitches that Syndergaard doesn’t like.

So what is the solution to this? In any other situation where the Mets weren’t in the playoff hunt like they are this year, it’d be easy to tell Syndergaard to suck it up and pitch to who Callaway puts in the lineup.

But it’s a unique situation now as the Metropolitans are in the middle of a wildcard hunt and every game matters.

Numbers Don’t Lie

It’s hard to deny that Syndergaard has put up better numbers with Tomas Nido behind the dish than with Ramos. In 10 starts with Nido, Syndergaard has posted a 2.45 ERA compared to a 5.09 with Ramos.

Nido is a much better pitch framer which helps steal strikes and can be very effective with a sinker-ball pitcher. The Mets are in a tough spot because Ramos’ bat has been great this season and it gives the lineup less depth without him, but Syndergaard pitches every fifth game.

If anything, Ramos could use the rest every fifth day and Nido would stay sharp. Personal catchers can be a slippery slope because once one pitcher gets one, all pitchers want one.

In the case of Syndergaard and the Mets goals at this point in the season, they should be giving Nido the start when Syndergaard is pitching.

Not necessarily because they’re caving into Syndergaard and giving him what he wants, but because he statistically pitches better and the team needs every win they can get.

Another solution is to have Nido start behind the plate for Syndergaard and then have Ramos come in around the sixth inning. The lineup may take a hit with Ramos on the bench to start, but he can provide a good bat with valuable at-bat opportunities late in the game.

Every game is crucial, and if the Mets want Syndergaard to succeed and for the team to win ball games in hopes of the wild card, Nido should be behind the plate for Syndergaard.

The solution to this ordeal is simple, give Syndergaard his personal catcher for the rest of the season for the sake of the team, not because he’s asking for one.

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This whole situation carries long-term implications. Does Thor fit into the long term plans of the Mets? Or is he too much of a headache?