The Los Angeles Dodgers are taking a chance on starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard.
On Wednesday, they agreed to terms with the talented hurler on a one-year, $13 million contract.
The deal also has an extra $1.5 million in performance-related incentives.
Instead of signing a long-term deal for less than he would have wanted, “Thor” is betting on himself to fully return to form next year and re-enter the market.
Syndergaard was close to winning a World Series with the New York Mets as a rookie in 2015, and last year with the Philadelphia Phillies.
On both occasions, his team played the Fall Classic and lost.
Nobody is more excited about the move than Syndergaard himself, as he showed via Twitter.
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) December 14, 2022
He knows that the Dodgers give him a prime opportunity not just to win his first career World Series, but to fully re-establish his value.
Don’t forget that Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 and missed that year and most of the 2021 campaign, too.
Thor Will Try To Conquer Los Angeles
Los Angeles is an attractive landing spot for any pitcher looking to reach his best version, and Syndergaard fits the description.
In 2022, he posted a 3.94 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and a 95/31 K/BB ratio across 134 2/3 innings (25 appearances, 24 starts) between the Los Angeles Angels and Phillies.
The Dodgers bring in another high-upside arm to their collection of talented pitchers, one that includes Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May.
As long as Syndergaard can regain most of his lost fastball velocity, his numbers should bounce back to the low-3.00s.
For his career, he has sat around 97-98 mph with his heater, and was 94-95 last season.
If the Dodgers get those mph back, look out.
NEXT: The Dodgers Once Again Have A Stacked Rotation