Thorange County: Angels lure Noah Syndergaard away from Mets
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Right-hander Noah Syndergaard has agreed to terms on $21 million, 1-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, leaving the New York Mets for a lucrative fresh start on the West Coast.
The Angels announced the deal Tuesday night for the 29-year-old Syndergaard, a dominant and intimidating starter when at the height of his talents during his seven years with the Mets.
The long-haired, 6-foot-6 Texan earned the nickname “Thor” with his powerful pitch selection and mound presence, but injuries have hampered a career that includes 47 victories, a 3.32 ERA and one All-Star selection in 2016.
Syndergaard has made only two major-league appearances since 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and other ailments, pitching a pair of one-inning stints late last season. Syndergaard didn’t throw his curve or slider in his late-season appearances, but the Angels, the Mets and other interested teams clearly were reasonably confident he will regain a semblance of his best form.
Syndergaard has pitched only four full big-league seasons, but he racked up at least nine wins, 150 innings and 155 strikeouts in all four.
Syndergaard will be the centerpiece of the latest attempt to build a respectable rotation for the Angels, whose annually sub-par pitching has been the primary reason for their six straight losing seasons and seven-year playoff drought, even with three-time MVP Mike Trout in the lineup.
Even with Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles’ rotation ranked 22nd in the majors in ERA last season after languishing in 29th place in