Dodgers Were Smart To Take The Gamble On Noah Syndergaard
It’s been a quiet offseason for the Dodgers. Trea Turner left and LA hasn’t made a big splash this offseason to even try to replace him in the aggregate. Outside of JD Martinez, the Dodgers didn’t make a big splash to replace that loss in the lineup. However, when it comes to the rotation, the Dodgers probably did about the best they could. Noah Syndergaard was a really savvy get for this Andrew Friedman led front office.
Syndergaard, 30, will essentially be tasked with replacing the innings that Tyler Anderson gave the team last year. Anderson was fantastic as a Dodger and cashed in on a nice free agent deal with the Angels this offseason. Anderson went 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA, a 1.002 WHIP, and a 3.31 FIP. It’s going to be a tall task to try to replicate those numbers. However, I’d argue taking the shot on Syndergaard and receiving a draft pick for losing Anderson was the right call.
We can talk about Thor’s declining metrics but I’m just not sure they tell the whole story. Syndergaard dealt with some arm injuries that just simply take time to recover from. Syndergaard was pitching out of the bullpen for the Phillies a year ago because he simply wasn’t 100%. Heading into 2023, I think we’re all going to see the Thor we’re used to.
The K per 9 rate was down to a career worst 5.1 in 2022. The velocity was down as well. Given being multiple years removed from TJ surgery, I would anticipate those K rates going back to his normal 9-10 per 9 range. Even in an injury-plagued down year, Syndergaard still sported a really respectable 3.94 ERA in 2022 across more than 134 innings. Even if we don’t get the guy from 2018 back, Syndergaard is well worth the gamble on a one year prove it deal.
The Dodgers are really good at reinventing guys. It remains to be seen what Thor’s stuff will look like heading into Spring Training. The point here should be that Syndergaard could pitch poorly as he did a year ago and this deal still wouldn’t be a bad one. Even on a down year, he notched a 1.8 WAR. I would anticipate much better things for Syndergaard in 2023.
Throw the metrics out the door. Is the fastball really going to sit at 93-94 again this year with more time to recover? I just don’t buy it. Mark my words. I’ll take Noah Syndergaard for this dirt cheap deal over handing out the bag for Carlos Rondon. The Dodgers will use their information to get Thor back on track and you know he will be motivated to make sure he gets to cash in on another big deal.
