In an effort to bolster their starting rotation, the Los Angeles Angels jumped the free agent market to sign Noah Syndergaard to a one-year, $21 million contract for the 2022 season.
Syndergaard missed most of the previous campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery but still decided to bet on himself by declining the $18.4 million qualifying offer he received from the New York Mets in order to reach free agency.
Syndergaard secured a higher salary than what he would have earned and looked to return to his previous elite form with the Angels. While the right-hander showed glimpses of his past glory, his brief tenure with the team was marred by inconsistency.
Syndergaard went 5-8 with a 3.83 ERA, 3.95 FIP, 1.21 WHIP and 7.2 strikeouts per nine in 80 innings pitched (15 starts). As the Angels struggled and fell out of contention, they sent the 30-year-old to the Philadelphia Phillies at the MLB trade deadline in exchange for Mickey Moniak and Jadiel Sanchez.
Syndergaard put up similar numbers with his new team as he posted a 5-2 record, 4.12 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.32 WHIP and 5.1 K/9 in 54.2 innings of work (10 games, nine starts).
Syndergaard was a bright spot in the postseason as he allowed three runs and seven baserunners in 8.1 innings across four appearances — good for a 3.24 ERA and 0.84 WHIP.
In 25 games between the Angels and Phillies (24 starts), Syndergaard finished 10-10 with a 3.94 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.26 WHIP and 6.3 K/9 over 134.2 innings pitched — his highest total since the 2019 season.
Noah Syndergaard 2022 highlight
Syndergaard enjoyed his best performance of the 2022 season on May 24 against the Texas Rangers, when he gave up just one run on four hits and collected five strikeouts in eight innings pitched.
2023 outlook
Syndergaard will be returning to Southern California for the 2023 season as he signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that reportedly includes incentives for innings pitched.
Syndergaard noted that he signed with the Dodgers due to their reputation of helping pitchers get back on track and specifically is looking to add velocity to his fastball. He will look to rebound and hit the open market once again following the 2023 season with the hopes of finding a long-term contract.
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