As the Orioles search for additions to their rotation, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that they had a Zoom call with Noah Syndergaard yesterday. Syndergaard is a free agent after playing out the past season with the Angels and Phillies.
It’s been widely reported that the Orioles have been searching for starting pitching, but avoiding the very top of the free agent class, so it makes sense that Syndergaard would have appeal to them.
Syndergaard, 30, turned in a 3.94 ERA across 134 2/3 innings in 2022, his first full year back from 2020 Tommy John surgery. He started his one-year, $21MM deal with the Angels but was dealt to the Phillies at the deadline. The former Met’s fastball was well down from his pre-surgery days, as it dropped around five miles an hour to sit at 94.5 mph in 2022, while his slider that once sat at 93.1 mph dropped to 85.1. As a result, his strikeout rate fell considerably (16.8 % vs 24.5% in 2019).
Today’s version of Syndergaard might not be the overpowering one that earned the nickname ’Thor’ at the Mets, but it still amounts to a very valuable pitcher, and he’s still young enough that perhaps he can claw back some of that lost velocity in 2023. To that end, ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently wrote that Syndergaard has been taking an analytic approach to his offseason work, training at Driveline and Tread Athletics. MLBTR predicted Syndergaard would receive a three-year, $36MM deal this winter.
The Orioles currently have some combination of Dean Kremer, Austin Voth, Tyler Wells, Kyle Bradish and top prospect Grayson Rodriguez penciled into their rotation. It’s a young group with plenty of question marks, so it certainly makes sense that they’d look to bump one or two of those names in favor of an external veteran addition or two.
Whether or not Syndergaard winds up in Baltimore, it seems almost certain that they’ll have a few names in their pitching ranks. The Orioles are looking to build from a promising 83-79 season in 2022, and the rotation is an area of focus. Should they miss on Syndergaard, the likes of Taijuan Walker, Jameson Taillon and Chris Bassitt could all have appeal.
Good 5th rotation guy pitcher.
Very strange how he never got his full velo back. Everyone that I can recall hasn’t had any issues with velo post-Tommy John. He just lost it.
Or he’s not throwing to 100% because she’s worried about it happening again.
Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s mental (whether intentionally or not)
Sorry I meant he’s lol
Last year it looked as though he was compact in his delivery and not letting it ‘go’ compared to his pre-surgery days. He’s one of those ‘decent deal for a 4/5th rotation starter’ or ‘bargain for a 2/3.’ He’s young enough to come back from the injury.
Wondered about that myself. Not sure where management stands on him. He had a bit of that ‘86 mentality where he’d go at it with opposing players, especially Bauer.
Mets need three pitchers, two at a minimum if they want to see where their 1st round pick Peterson goes if given a consistent rotation spot. Rondon, Taillon and Syndergaard would be my three. Bassitt instead of Syndergaard if the years are right.
Ya know, once he started having durability issues, I always thought he would make an excellent reliever. I wonder if he would be open to a transition to that role, perhaps pick up a few ticks in that nasty sinker again.
He’s not fully comfortable i guess.
I’ll admit. This is one of those guys that I have no idea how to evaluate at this point…
I know Strasburg post-TJ was no longer able to hit Triple Digits, although could still hit upper 90s. For Thor, he probably needs some time before returning to his old self, if he can.
Probably not he has one of the worst contracts in MLB.
Reuniting with deGrom in Texas?
Yes, Rangers make sense.
Whomever he goes to, they’re getting a guy with a yr of building back arm strength completed (and as a starter) with no injury drama. Plus, has track record of competitive post season play. Also like that he’s not afraid to stick in the ear of an opposing batter when warranted.
Hard to believe he is only 30. Feels like this guy has been pitching for decades lol
I think Bloom should be trying to land him.
I agree. He could be a solid 2nd year back from TJS candidate. He was great thru 2018, and portions of 2019.
FG has him for $24M/2 and MLBR has him for $36M/3. I think his floor is a low-end #3, with a ceiling of being a solid #2. I’d gladly meet the MLBR pruice, though I assume he will go higher.
Having seen him last year, you’re being way too generous on his floor. He was a solid #4-5, averaging less than 5 innings an appearance. Granted he was getting arm strength back, but you can’t pen Thor as a solid #3 until he proves it consistently. He needs to be able to eat more innings.
Angels, orioles… Worked so well for Matt Harvey after leaving the Mets, why not?
Maybe the Mets will sign Syndergaard.
What are they going to do? Sign him for $900,000 one year contract?
Your views/jokes on the Orioles are uneducated and furthermore outdated. Find a new franchise to pick on.
Sorry you are offended but it’s the truth. If you don’t see what’s right in front of your face there’s no helping you.
I’m not an orioles fan, but it’s not what you call “the truth.” The Orioles have had large payrolls in the past they were somewhere around 160-180 million in payroll in the mid 2010s. Thos franchise has spent plenty of money in the not so distant past, but go ahead and ignore that because it doesn’t fit your narrative.
Objectively wrong. The Orioles were running a top ten payroll less than a decade ago.
Holy cow I’m talking about today bud. Right now. The present. Think.
That would suggest they would be willing to do that again to compete. right now. The present. Think.
I’m always amazed by stupidity. I see this going in circles now. Never fails. All I can say is live in the present. Nobody cares about 5 years ago.
You’re simply wrong, just take the L and move on with your life.
This also doesn’t make any sense. They mostly have guys on their first contracts. Why would they have shelled out huge contracts when they were rebuilding? The payroll will increase.
The stupidity continues. Wait until spring training and evaluate the Orioles off-season moves. Bargain basement shopping off-season. That’s what you’ll see. I cannot believe how all of you went off the rails on this. They won’t sign the guy referenced in the article either. That was my original and only point.
Love to see arrogant people caught being so wrong. The doubling down is funny. Take the loss and go
Lol wait and see
You are the one who “went off the rails” by being a complete ahole to everyone. You call it “stupidity” when multiple people are showing you that the Os have shown a willingness to spend with there past acquisitions and decisions while you back your claim with only a “lol wait and see.” Its astonishing to me that you choose to be such a miserable jerk for no reason.
Not really. I was just commenting about the Orioles interest in the pitcher. Someone they are not going to sign. Read in order the comments to my comment. That’s when it started getting stupid. Read them in order if you can maintain that simple task.
There you go again^ i guess it’s impossible for people to disagree about something without the name calling. So you claim to not be an ass and then go on to be even bigger of an ass by saying “if you can maintain that simple task.” It’s ironic, I don’t know how you don’t see that. It’s a shame really.
I’m just amazed at how my original comment ended up at this point. I have no time stupidity. Anyway, the Orioles aren’t going to spend this winter or next. They might sign some middle of the road players or possibly back end starters. They are at a point where they have to add to the product on the field but they won’t.
I actually see him more as a bullpen piece to be honest.
He started a WS game like a month ago. Pretty sure he will get a deal as a SP…
Yea as bullpen opener. He went like 4 innings. He looked good in that role.
I think it was 2-3 or something Von.
Yea you’re right. It wasn’t even 4. I get he was still building arm strength up, but this is a guy who hasn’t pitched deep innings in over 2 seasons. He looked good in a pen role in the playoffs.
His skillset is perfect for a RP role. But he’s been mentally suspect for a few years, and it would come out in his interviews in NY. Questioning himself, his decisions – a lot of thinking on the mound, which can be good, but in a RP role doesn’t usually help as much. But if he could get his confidence back, he could be a strong RP.
I like it. Orioles have been doing some magic w/ pitching the last couple years, turning ‘meh’ into ‘huh’. Maybe they can get Noah to go from ‘good’ to ‘goodness!’
Like to see him return to Toronto
I would like the phillies to resign him for a couple years. I think he may regain some of his velo in the second year after tj surgery.
He meshed well with that clubhouse. I wouldn’t mind bringing him back, but the Phillies need a proven #2-3 starter besides Thor as well.
Early season MLBTR survey.
In the end, who will have the better year? Thor or Matthew Boyd?
I’m going to assume that Noah will be paid a lot more than Matt.
I’m going to say it will be Boyd.
I was hoping Detroit would sign Bassitt this off-season. Still do, but doubtful. I really am glad Boyd is back though
I just hope the other, more pressing needs will be ironed out. Contreras and Correa would look so great in that lineup
Orioles should be signing Correa, Taillon, Syndegard, Walker and Archie Bradley. Then trade Washburg for Houser of the Brewers.
Houser wouldn’t cost you Westburg (I assume that’s who you meant)
Yup sorry. We’ll I guess it all depends how bad I want him and I want Westburg pretty bad. Yes he will probably never be an Arenaudo but he might be a Kevin Seitzer and I can live with that .
No. They shouldn’t do that.
Why stop there, sign Judge, Rodón, Verlander and trade for Ohtani.
“[The Orioles] had a Zoom call with Noah Syndergaard yesterday.”
WOW!
It’s come to this?
Reminds me of 6th-7th grade. The kids in school started gossiping about news that a boy had called a girl at home.
Could going steady be around the corner?
I see what you did with that headline you crafty writers!
They’re one pitcher away from a 90 win team. I’d hate to see them not reach their potential so if it’s a financial thing, I’m offering to buy them one. Investing in the Orioles is good business.
Thor would be a very good pickup for the O’s and would fit in to the rotation very nicely. Pitching and possibly another DH/Utility IF player would be the two needs for the team especially if that Utility Infielder an play first and spell Mountcastle in the lineup. There are no needs for a frontline Shortstop or Catcher considering the existing talent IMO. Unless there is an outfielder traded there will be only a slight need at that position. There are quite a few talented players coming up from the Minors as well.
I could see him trying to get a better deal with a less. I’m petit I’ve club that needs to pay a premium for name talent. Orioles fit that bill.
I think he’s still worth a bit more than $12M a year and unless he’s giving up on making a full come back, I doubt he signs for 3 years.
I’m gonna guess it would be a 2 year/$30M deal if it happens.
*a better deal with a less competitive team/club that needs to pay a premium for higher profile players.
But yeah like I said I think he gets more than $12M AAV and doesn’t sign for more than a year or two in the hopes he bounces back or at least grades out more valuable than that contract.
Turning 1 year/$16M or 2 years/$30M into an additional 1 year/$20M or 2 years/36M deal or something.
Contracts for SP is all about making a bet on a guys health / prior performance. I think with Thor a 3/36 bet is a fair risk / reward analysis. Any team in need of a 4/5 SP should give him a shot. He will pick a contender, I’d suspect because he should get a few offers in today’s SP market / pitching need situation.
Ironically, I predicted Orioles for him!
Blue jays 2 years $30 million with an opt out. My prediction.
I’d be pretty happy with Syndergaard as long as another solid SP is added alongside him.
Don’t have stats to back this up but he looked good at throwing strikes but couldn’t get the third strike. Guys are fouling off pitches they previously couldn’t get to.
That said, he throws strikes and generally avoids hard contact.
Guy went from ‘Thor’ to journeyman seemingly overnight.
Meeting doesn’t cost a thing. Wake me when the Orioles start spending on pitchers who didn’t have a 5+ ERA the last two seasons.
My guess was Noah goes to TOR but I could see BAL as a potential destination as well.