It took time and patience but the Phillies have finally been connected to a starting pitcher on the trade market. Jon Morosi of MLB Network kept Phillies fans awake with knowledge that the team was in on Noah Syndergaard.
Not long ago, the New York Mets were running out a young rotation of Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, and Zack Wheeler. How fun could it be to have Wheeler and Syndergaard pitch in the same series against the Mets?
We know Thor had his fair amount of problems with the Mets front office. Every game he’d pitch against the Mets could be a revenge game.
While it’s fun to imagine those mental images, let’s step back into reality for a second. Noah Syndergaard is not the same Thor we used to know.
Syndergaard’s History
Long gone are the days of Thor pumping 97-98 MPH. He now operates closer to around 94 MPH. Syndergaard didn’t pitch from 2020 through most of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery.
He’s been fine, don’t get me wrong. He has a 3.83 ERA this season in 80 IP for the Angels.
The biggest difference from when he lightning in a bottle for the Mets is his strikeout rate. His current 7.2K/9 ratio is 1.8 lower than the lowest point of his career. This would most likely be attributed to the fastball decline. In 2019, Thor’s 4-seam fastball averaged 97.8 MPH. It now averages 94.2 MPH.
With a less-effective fastball, Thor’s changeup has become horrendous. Opposing hitters are hitting .333 against the pitch. It’s not fooling anyone.
How he would fit in on the Phillies
He still has value, just not the same value as 2019. If the Phillies can get him at the right price, he’d be a perfect fit to replace the injured Zach Eflin.
Bailey Falter, Eflin’s temporary replacement, has a 4.85 ERA in the majors this season. Syndergaard would be a significant step up.
Thor is on a 1-year/$21 million deal with the Angels and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
