Pitcher Noah “Thor” Syndergaard Heads West, Joins The Los Angeles Angels

By Jordan Long

The MLB “Hot Stove” is underway which is the name for the off-season.  Free agents are going to sign large contracts with teams.  Franchises hope these players are the answer to making them a better team and improving in the standings for 2022.  One surprise so far is pitcher Noah Syndergaard also known by his nickname “Thor”, who agreed to a contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

                Syndergaard pitched a total of 2 innings the past 2 years for the New York Mets.  He was shut down in the COVID 19 shortened year due to a UCL in his right elbow and had Tommy John surgery to repair it.  This season he lasted 2 innings because of inflammation in his right elbow.  In the 2 innings thrown, Syndergaard didn’t pitch well giving up 3 hits and 2 runs.  His ERA was 9.00.  The Mets were anticipating him to be one of the top pitchers in the rotation, but he never was healthy enough to do so. Once the year was up, the Mets gave him a qualifying offer of $18.4 million. Syndergaard declined and became a free agent.

                The Los Angeles Angels are taking a risk, agreeing to a 1-year $21 million contract with Syndergaard.  The deal is pending Syndergaard passing a physical.  Once he completes the physical, the Angels are expecting him to contribute as one of the top pitchers in the rotation.  The Angels rotation includes  Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Sandoval. After that, there are question marks.  Syndergaard could be the 2^nd in the pitching rotation when healthy behind Ohtani.

                Syndergaard is one of the top fastball pitchers in the game.  He uses that to strike batters out. He has been with the Mets since 2015.  When healthy his record is 47-31 with a 3.32 ERA and 777 strikeouts. Besides the regular season, Syndergaard brings in MLB playoff experience to the Los Angeles Angels. Syndergaard appeared in 5 playoff games.   His record in the postseason is 2-1 with an ERA of 2.42.

                The Los Angeles Angels know what  Syndergaard can bring to the team.  He has shown the ability to be one of the best pitchers in MLB.  They want to see the Syndergaard who won 10+ games for the Mets 3 times.  Hopefully improving the rotation.  Unfortunately for them, they may not see that. Syndergaard hasn’t pitched a full season since 2019.  This could be a waste of money if Syndergaard spends most of the year on the injured list for any length of time.   They are taking a gamble.