Dodgers hoping Thor’s lightning strikes in LA by signing Noah Syndergaard
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed veteran Noah Syndergaard to a 1-year prove-it contract after he spent last season with the Angels and Phillies.
It’s not MLB free agency if the Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t connected to every big-name free agent in play, no matter how realistic or not a deal would be. But so far into the 2022-23 offseason, the club has been largely silent and, in fact, you could say the loss of Trea Turner to the Phillies has been the biggest thing to happen to the franchise thus far.
With many big names off of the board, however, LA is trying to change that, though perhaps with a bit less sizzle and a much smaller splash than normal.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news that the Dodgers will be signing veteran right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard. Per other reports, it seems like it will be a one-year contract for the one known as Thor.
Right-hander Noah Syndergaard and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. The 30-year-old Syndergaard is expected to join the Dodgers' starting rotation.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 14, 2022
Noah Syndergaard contract details: Dodgers sign SP to one-year prove-it deal
As mentioned, it’s reportedly a one-year deal with the intent of being a prove-it deal for Syndergaard, whose rendition of Thor as of late has been much more like the beginning of Avengers: Endgame than it has been all of the thunder, lightning and mythical dominance.
But the Syndergaard contract with the Dodgers reflects that as MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that the deal is for $13 million plus incentives for the righty with his new team.
Syndergaard gets $13M plus incentives
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2022
After starting 2022 with the Angels before being traded to the Phillies, Syndergaard struggled overall as he posted a 3.94 ERA over 25 appearances (24 starts) with an ERA+ of only 103 and a WHIP of 1.255.
Still, Syndergaard’s decline can largely be tied to injuries that cropped up over the end of his time with the New York Mets that came to a close after the 2021 season. Perhaps going back out to Los Angeles, this time staying in the National League, can help him get healthy and get the 30-year-old back to more acceptable form than he showed a season ago.
For the Dodgers, it’s a worthwhile gamble at the bottom of their rotation, but it likely won’t be their last move on the pitching market.
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