Padres reportedly interested in Noah Syndergaard
(AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
There is no doubt the San Diego Padres need pitching.
In a report from Robert Murray in his latest piece for FanSided, he indicates that the Padres are one of two National League teams interested in signing Noah Syndergaard, who is a free agent.
The other team listed is the Pirates, and there is no doubt they can use a veteran arm in the rotation. The Padres are also in need of pitching, and it looks as though it may come down to dollars and cents.
Syndergaard is coming off a disappointing season. He started the year with the Dodgers and was traded to the Guardians, who released the veteran before the end of the season.
In total, Syndergaard went 2-6 with a 6.50 ERA in 18 starts and 88.2 innings pitched. For LA, he produced a 7.16 ERA in 12 starts. Amazingly, the Dodgers found a home for Syndergaard, and though he pitched better with Cleveland, he was released after producing a 5.40 ERA in six starts.
It seems strange that the Padres think they can fix the tall right-handed pitcher. The Dodgers are notorious for fixing veteran arms, but they failed miserably. His numbers have sharply declined since Tommy John surgery in 2020, and that is a concern.
With the Mets, before the surgery, Syndergaard was one of the most promising young pitchers in the league.
In 2016, at the age of 23, Syndergaard was an NL All-Star, producing a 14-9 record with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.149 WHIP in 30 starts and 183.1 innings pitched.
The Texas native is still only 31, but it is difficult to believe he has anything left in the tank.
With a diminished fastball, it is hard to think Syndergaard can recapture his worth as a starting pitcher. Perhaps the Padres envision him in a relief role. It is difficult to know exactly where they see him fitting in for the 20024 season.
Time is running out to sign pitchers, and the team is surely in need of help.
When it comes down to it- you get a sense the Padres will sign pitchers who are undervalued and looking for work at a bargain rate this spring. Thor may be one of them.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.