Dodgers: Angels Sign Noah Syndergaard, How Does it Impact Max Scherzer’s Return to LA?
Noah Syndergaard is headed to Los Angeles, but it’s to toe the rubber for the Angels and not the Dodgers. First reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Angels have agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract with free agent right-hander, Noah Syndergaard.
Syndergaard had been linked to the Dodgers as a potential trade target back in 2019, but a deal never got done. Then the following year, Thor tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during spring training and underwent Tommy John surgery. The procedure effectively ended his season and any Dodgers/Syndergaard trade speculation.
The Dodgers never expressed any interest in signing the former All-Star, but the Angels acquisition of Syndergaard could impact LA’s offseason plans as the Halos have been rumored to be a potential ‘major player’ for Max Scherzer. Scherzer’s agent, Scott Boras, has already made it clear that his top pitching client’s decision on his next team is heavily based on ‘winning’, so adding a quality arm like Syndergaard could aid the Angels in their pursuit of Mad Max.
We discuss how the Halos landing Thor impacts the Dodgers’ plans of re-signing Max Scherzer and how far away the Angels are from being legitimate World Series contenders. Plus, how big of a threat are the Angels to sign the Dodgers top pitching free agent?
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Scherzer posted a perfect 7-0 record with a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts after being traded to LA. However, the wheels sort of fell off in the postseason where he ultimately made only 3 appearances and “overcooked” his arm in the NLCS. Still, he proved he can get it done on the mound, even at 37 years old.
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Or you could argue this makes it less likely they sign scherzer because $50m for two pitchers is pretty steep considering they need more than two more pitchers to be competitive. Just a thought.
Yep, that’s how I’d read this.
I am onboard with your comments. Thor may be a big arm, but he has only thrown I believe 2 innings in 2 years and coming off of TJ surgery there is certainly no guarantee just what they are going to get out of him in 22. The Angles as Rainbird says are more than two pitchers away and they need healthy Rendon and Trout to be competitive and there are no guarantees there either. They appear to be more than a year or two from being a title contender in the AL, though Moreno has proven he will spend money to bring in talent, but I don’t see Scherzer waiting two years to get back to the World Series.
Rainbird agree again. Noah’s signing makes it LESS likely thet sign Max. But–Verlander may come for a LOT less because of the year and of half since he last pitched competatively. So, oddly enough, he may be at.the deal level the Angels just made. And being an ex Astros from ’17, don’t want him. Let the Angels take him too.
It’s possible.
Drrrrrrr burned up Scherzer, and he’ll burn up what’s left of Verlander as well. I’d rather the Dodgers accumulate a few arms like Stroman and Matz, and let our home grown talent pitch. If the Dodgers would focus on hitters for once like Marte’ and spend the money on Chris Bryant for example, they could deal with another front line pitcher at the trade deadline. This years market is hitter shortstop loaded and not so much pitching. The weakness besides their manager in 21 was contact hitters, both Bryant and Marte’ are both excellent in that area of need.
That’s money wasted yet again by the Angels.