Instead of subtracting rotation pieces, the Mets are adding — at least for now.

In something of a surprise move, the team acquired Marcus Stroman in a trade with the Blue Jays on Sunday for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson, according to industry sources. The deal was contingent upon physicals.

The 28-year-old Stroman, a Medford, N.Y., native who represented Toronto in the All-Star Game, is 6-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 21 starts this season. Stroman, who is under club control through 2020, is earning $7.4 million this season.

Kay and Woods Richardson, a left-hander and right-hander respectively, were ranked as the No. 4 and 6 prospects in the Mets’ minor league system. Kay — a Long Island native and former UConn standout — was pitching at Triple-A Syracuse. Woods Richardson, the Mets’ second-round pick in the 2018 draft, was pitching at Single-A Columbia.

“The Mets gave up a lot for Stroman,” a major league talent evaluator said. “Hope for their sake they have more moves in mind.”

Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler and Jason Vargas remain as trade candidates from within the rotation. Wheeler, an impending free agent, is the most likely of the group to be dealt before Wednesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, but club officials are still dangling Syndergaard, in particular, with the idea a team might meet their high asking price. The Padres,

Braves and Astros are among the teams that have pursued a deal for Syndergaard.
Stroman had been linked to other teams, including the Yankees, in recent weeks. But reports Saturday first began linking the Mets to the right-hander.

“Toronto, I love you … forever!” Stroman tweeted Sunday night.

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Stroman, a ground-ball pitcher, will be arriving to a team with a porous infield defense.

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The Mets have also engaged in trade talks involving closer Edwin Diaz, according to sources, with the Rays, Dodgers, Braves and Blue Jays among the teams showing the most interest. One source indicated the Blue Jays could potentially acquire Diaz and flip him for prospects from the Braves, but it’s unclear if the Mets’ addition of Stroman eliminated that possibility.

Stroman’s addition is the second big trade of general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s tenure, which began last October. The former CAA agent orchestrated a trade last offseason that brought Diaz and Robinson Cano from Seattle for top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn (along with Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak and Gerson Bautista). Cano and Diaz have struggled with the Mets, damaging Van Wagenen’s credibility with fans.

Stroman’s addition could make it easier for the Mets to deal Syndergaard for high-level prospects and compete for the playoffs in 2020. But the Mets also could view Stroman as a rotation replacement for Wheeler or Vargas, should either pitcher — or both — be traded.

If the Mets keep Wheeler, they would have to decide whether to extend him a qualifying offer, which would bring draft-pick compensation. But last year’s qualifying offer — the number has increased every season since it was implemented — was $17.9 million and the Mets might deem that as an overpay for a pitcher who is 7-6 with a 4.71 ERA this season.