The Dodgers, who have had a comparatively muted offseason relative to division rivals San Diego (Xander Bogaerts) and San Francisco (Carlos Correa, Mitch Haniger, Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea), appear to have found their newest reclamation project, taking a one-year flyer on Noah Syndergaard. Despite finishing last year in the Phillies’ bullpen, the right-hander’s salary ($13 million) suggests he’ll be part of the team’s starting rotation, filling the void left by Tyler Anderson, now playing 30 miles south in Anaheim.
Plagued by injuries and diminished fastball velocity, Syndergaard isn’t anywhere near the player he was in his Mets prime, slowly beginning his descent from staff ace to journeyman mercenary. Syndergaard made two trips to Queens last year but didn’t pitch on either occasion, fueling speculation the veteran was dodging his former team, afraid of the reception he’d receive from fans at Citi Field.
They say time heals all wounds, but apparently not this one with Eamon McAnaney still harboring plenty of resentment, roasting Syndergaard in ruthless fashion on SNY SportNite.
“Los Angeles comes to Citi Field on July 14-16, if you want to start thinking now about reasons why Syndergaard won’t be able to pitch that weekend,” the anchor quipped, alluding to last summer when the 30-year-old, while still a member of the Angels, had his start pushed back after originally being scheduled to pitch the series finale at Citi Field. Thor won’t be able to duck the Mets forever, but the longer he delays his inevitable return to Queens, the more grief he’ll receive from fans still bitter over his departure.
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