Noah Syndergaard, also known as “Thor,” is a professional baseball player who has made a name for himself as a hard-throwing pitcher with a devastating fastball. He played for the New York Mets from 2015 to 2021, but became a free agent after the 2021 season.
Many teams expressed interest in signing him, including the Los Angeles Angels. However, Syndergaard ultimately chose to sign a one-year, $21 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite this, there seems to be confusion surrounding Syndergaard’s decision, with some people believing that he “left” the Angels. In this blog post, we’ll explore why Syndergaard did not sign with the Angels and what led him to sign with the Dodgers.
Background on Syndergaard’s Free Agency
Noah Syndergaard’s free agency was highly anticipated in the baseball world, as he had established himself as one of the top pitchers in the game before suffering injuries that limited his playing time in recent seasons.
After the 2021 season, Syndergaard became a free agent, meaning he was free to sign with any team he wanted.
Several teams expressed interest in signing Syndergaard, including the Los Angeles Angels, who were looking to improve their pitching depth.
The Angels had struggled with injuries to their pitching staff in recent years and saw Syndergaard as a potential solution to their problems. They reportedly met with Syndergaard and discussed the possibility of signing him to a contract.
However, the Angels were not the only team interested in Syndergaard. Other teams, such as the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, were also in the mix. Syndergaard reportedly received multiple offers before ultimately deciding to sign with the Dodgers.
It’s unclear what the Angels’ offer was or how it compared to the other offers Syndergaard received. Nonetheless, the Angels did not sign Syndergaard, and he ended up with their divisional rivals instead.
The Angels’ Pursuit of Syndergaard
The Los Angeles Angels expressed strong interest in signing Noah Syndergaard during his free agency period. The Angels were reportedly looking to add a top-tier starting pitcher to their rotation to help address their issues with pitching depth.
The team has struggled with injuries to their pitching staff in recent years, and Syndergaard’s track record as a hard-throwing pitcher with a high strikeout rate made him an attractive option for the Angels.
In addition to his on-field performance, Syndergaard’s injury history may have also made him an appealing target for the Angels. Despite his impressive numbers when healthy, Syndergaard has had trouble staying on the field in recent years.
He missed the entire 2020 season due to Tommy John surgery and pitched only two innings in 2021 before suffering a setback that ended his season.
Nonetheless, the Angels were willing to take a chance on Syndergaard and make him a centerpiece of their starting rotation.
The Angels reportedly met with Syndergaard and discussed the possibility of signing him to a contract.
However, it’s unclear what the specifics of their offer were or how it compared to the offers Syndergaard received from other teams. Ultimately, Syndergaard chose to sign with the Dodgers instead of the Angels.
Syndergaard’s Decision to Sign With the Dodgers
Noah Syndergaard’s decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Angels was a surprise to many. Despite the Angels’ expressed interest in Syndergaard, he ultimately decided to join their division rivals on a one-year, $21 million deal.
While the specifics of his decision-making process are not known, there are several possible reasons why Syndergaard may have chosen the Dodgers over the Angels.
One possible reason is the Dodgers’ recent success in the postseason. The team has been a consistent contender in recent years and won the World Series in 2020.
Syndergaard may have viewed the Dodgers as a team with a better chance of winning a championship than the Angels. Joining a team with a winning culture and a strong chance of success may have been an appealing prospect for Syndergaard.
Another possible reason is the Dodgers’ pitching staff. The team has a talented group of starting pitchers, including Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Trevor Bauer (although Bauer is currently on administrative leave), among others.
Syndergaard may have seen the Dodgers’ pitching staff as a group that he could thrive with and learn from. Additionally, the Dodgers’ pitching coach, Mark Prior, was Syndergaard’s teammate with the Mets, which may have influenced his decision to sign with the Dodgers.
Location could also have been a factor in Syndergaard’s decision. The Dodgers play in Los Angeles, which is closer to Syndergaard’s hometown of Mansfield, Texas, than Anaheim, where the Angels play. Being closer to home may have been a factor in Syndergaard’s decision-making process.
Ultimately, the specific reasons why Syndergaard chose the Dodgers over the Angels are not known. It’s possible that a combination of factors, including championship potential, pitching staff, and location, played a role in his decision.
Nonetheless, Syndergaard’s decision to sign with the Dodgers was a surprise to many, and it will be interesting to see how he performs for his new team.
Analysis of Syndergaard’s Fit With the Dodgers
Noah Syndergaard’s signing with the Dodgers has the potential to make a significant impact on the team’s pitching staff and its chances of winning the World Series.
The Dodgers already have a strong group of starting pitchers, but Syndergaard’s addition could make them even better.
Assuming he’s healthy and returns to his pre-injury form, Syndergaard brings an impressive set of skills to the Dodgers’ rotation. He’s a hard-throwing right-hander with a career strikeout rate of 27.1% and a fastball that averages 98.2 mph.
He’s also had success inducing ground balls, which could be a valuable skill when pitching in Dodger Stadium, which is known for being a pitcher-friendly park.
One potential fit for Syndergaard in the Dodgers’ pitching staff is as the team’s fourth or fifth starter. The team already has a strong top three of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Max Scherzer, but there’s some uncertainty beyond that.
David Price and Tony Gonsolin are potential options for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation, but neither has been a consistent starter in recent years. Syndergaard could help shore up the back end of the rotation and provide depth in case of injuries or performance issues.
Another potential fit for Syndergaard is as a high-leverage reliever. He has experience pitching out of the bullpen, and his ability to throw hard and generate strikeouts could make him a valuable asset in late-inning situations.
The Dodgers already have a strong bullpen, but Syndergaard’s addition could make it even stronger.
Overall, Syndergaard’s signing has the potential to make the Dodgers even more formidable than they already were. The team has a deep and talented pitching staff, and Syndergaard’s addition only strengthens it.
If he can stay healthy and pitch to his potential, he could be a key contributor to the Dodgers’ quest for another World Series championship.
Comparison of Noah Syndergaard’s 2021 Stats with Other Dodgers Pitchers
| Pitcher | Innings Pitched | ERA | WHIP | Strikeouts | Walks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Syndergaard | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 106.1 | 3.33 | 1.03 | 106 | 22 |
| Walker Buehler | 182.1 | 2.47 | 0.97 | 207 | 44 |
| Max Scherzer | 179.1 | 2.46 | 0.86 | 236 | 34 |
Notes:
- Syndergaard did not pitch in the 2021 season due to injury.
- Stats for Kershaw, Buehler, and Scherzer are from the 2021 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Noah Syndergaard sign for with the Dodgers?
Noah Syndergaard signed a one-year, $21 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2022 season.
What were the other teams that were interested in signing Syndergaard?
Several teams expressed interest in signing Syndergaard, including the Angels, the San Francisco Giants, and the Toronto Blue Jays.
What are the potential risks of signing Syndergaard?
One of the main risks of signing Syndergaard is his injury history. He missed the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery and has had other injury issues in the past. There is also some uncertainty about how he will perform after such a long layoff.
How does Syndergaard’s signing affect the Dodgers’ luxury tax situation?
Syndergaard’s signing puts the Dodgers over the luxury tax threshold for the 2022 season, which means they will have to pay a tax penalty. However, the team has shown a willingness to pay the luxury tax in the past in order to field a competitive team.
Will Syndergaard be a free agent again after the 2022 season?
Yes, Syndergaard signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers, which means he will be a free agent again after the 2022 season. He will have the option to sign a long-term deal with the Dodgers or test the free agent market once again.
To Recap
Noah Syndergaard’s decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Angels was a surprise to many, but his addition to the Dodgers’ pitching staff has the potential to make a significant impact on the team’s chances of winning the World Series.
Syndergaard brings a unique set of skills to the Dodgers’ rotation and could provide depth and stability at the back end of the rotation, or serve as a high-leverage reliever.
While the specifics of his decision-making process are not known, his signing with the Dodgers only strengthens an already formidable team and makes them an even more formidable contender in the National League.
It remains to be seen how Syndergaard will perform for his new team, but his signing has undoubtedly increased expectations for the Dodgers in the upcoming season.
