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MLB trade rumors: 5 potential landing spots for Noah Syndergaard

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets looks on against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets looks on against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 31: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 31: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have now won 16 of 22 games since bottoming out at 16-26 on May 16 and have nearly caught the Arizona Diamondbacks as they come back down to earth after a hot start. Despite the hot stretch, the Dodgers still have issues, chief among them the fact that four members of their Opening Day starting rotation currently sit on the disabled list. Even phenom Walker Buehler, who is not on the DL at the moment, could miss his next start with a rib injury.

Surprisingly, Ross Stripling has filled in admirably for the Dodgers. He is 5-1 with a 1.65 ERA and has struck out 10.8 per nine on the season. This is a new level of dominance for the 28-year-old right-hander, who was famously pulled in the eighth inning of his MLB debut while working on a no-hitter.

The injuries that Clayton Kershaw (back), Kenta Maeda (hip), Hyun-jin Ryu (groin) and Rich Hill (blisters) are working through are all the type that can linger well past their expected recovery timetable. Kershaw made only one start after returning from his biceps injury. Hill has had blisters every year since joining the Dodgers. Ryu has only been able to log more than 100 innings once since 2014. If any of these pitchers are unable to return to full strength by early July, the Dodgers may have a hard time keeping their momentum going.

Trading for Manny Machado to replace Corey Seager is also a possibility for the Dodgers, but Noah Syndergaard should be a much more attractive option for an organization that is hesitant to give up top prospects to rent elite players. Syndergaard is under control for three more years. The sticking point in any negotiations between the Mets and Dodgers would likely be Buehler. If Andrew Friedman can stomach losing the talented 23-year-old, he does trump anything the Yankees and other potential trade partners can offer.

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