In one of the most shocking pre-deadline deals of the season, the Cleveland Guardians sent shortstop/outfielder Amed Rosario to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for starter Noah Syndergaard.
“Thor” has a 7.16 ERA in 55.1 innings this season while also battling blister issues.
The Guardians needed pitching, so they were willing to take a chance on the right-hander rebounding to some extent.
He already has a game assigned on the calendar, his first as a Guardian: it will come on Monday.
“Upcoming Guardians rotation: Tonight: Tanner Bibee; Friday: Xzavion Curry; Saturday: Logan Allen; Sunday: Aaron Civale; Monday: Noah Syndergaard; Tuesday: Gavin Williams,” Guardians insider Zack Meisel tweeted.
Upcoming Guardians rotation:
Tonight: Tanner Bibee
Friday: Xzavion Curry
Saturday: Logan Allen
Sunday: Aaron Civale
Monday: Noah Syndergaard
Tuesday: Gavin Williams— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) July 27, 2023
Cleveland has had the misfortune of seeing its two top pitchers get injured: Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie.
They have had to make good use of their pitching depth, calling up Bibee, Allen, Williams, and Curry this year (the latter made his debut last year but barely pitched).
They still needed more help, so they executed the controversial trade.
From 2015 to 2019, Syndergaard was one of the most valuable pitchers in baseball, capable of reaching triple digits with his fastball and striking out hitters by the bunch.
His heater averaged between 97 and 98 mph during those years.
He got injured in 2020 and needed Tommy John surgery, though.
The procedure currently has a high rate of pitchers making successful returns and getting all their velocity back.
With “Thor”, however, that hasn’t been the case.
Without his top fastball speed, it’s like he lost his hammer: he was between 94-95 in 2021-22 and is averaging 92.8 mph this campaign.
That has had a lot to do with his high ERA and inability to strike people out.
The Guards see something there, though, and they have earned the benefit of the doubt.
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