On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels made one of the biggest moves of the MLB offseason so far by inking Noah Syndergaard to a deal.
Syndergaard was one of the most intriguing guys available on the free-agent market, and L.A. signed him to a one-year deal worth $21 million.
BREAKING: Right-hander Noah Syndergaard and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $21 million deal, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
The Angels bolster their staff with the highest-upside arm on the market — and pay a heavy price, plus a second-rounder.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 16, 2021
Angels fans should be pumped about this move for a handful of reasons.
The team certainly has more work to do this offseason, but the Syndergaard signing is a great start.
Here are a few reasons to be excited about it.
3. The Angels’ Rotation Is Already In Better Shape Than It Was During The 2021 Season
L.A.’s rotation was brutal in 2021.
The staff pitched to an ERA of 4.78, ranking 22nd in all of baseball.
Needless, it’s very hard to contend for a playoff bid when your starters aren’t keeping you in games.
By adding Syndergaard, the rotation already has a much different look going into 2022.
In no order, the Angels will likely be able to roll with a staff that features Syndergaard, Shohei Ohtani (3.18 ERA in 2021), Patrick Sandoval (3.62 ERA in 2021), and Jose Suarez (3.75 ERA in 2021).
Obviously, that’s just four arms, but it’s a nice foundation.
The Angles would be wise to add one more starting pitcher this offseason.
There are plenty of options to choose from, including underrated (and likely inexpensive) guys like Rich Hill, Corey Kluber, and Danny Duffy.
2. Syndergaard Is Capable Of Being An Elite Arm
So, what exactly are the Angels getting in Syndergaard?
Well, they’re getting a guy with a very high ceiling.
As most fans know, Syndergaard is still trying to get back to full strength after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
He took a big step forward by pitching two innings near the end of the 2021 season for the New York Mets, but it wasn’t a big enough sample size to come to any real conclusions.
Still, it was nice to see him on the mound.
Here’s the big question: Will he ever look like his vintage self again?
Is that an unreasonable expectation?
Over five seasons prior to surgery, Syndergaard posted a 3.31 ERA, 119 ERA+, and 2.92 FIP.
Noah Syndergaard had 23 strikeouts at 100.0+ mph as a starter from 2015-17, 15 more than any other SP in that span (including playoffs)
Here are some of them ⬇️ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/X0wb4l4wZ9
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 16, 2021
If the Angels can get that sort of production out of the righty, they’ll be thrilled, and that’s why this is such a high-upside signing.
But at the same time, there are no guarantees that the 29-year-old is going to look like his pre-surgery self in 2022.
We’ll have to wait and see how the one-time All-Star fares.
1. The Angels Are Seemingly Serious About Finally Building A Contending Team
The Angels keep saying that they’re going to put a contending product on the field.
We’ve heard that for years, but this time, it looks like it might finally be happening.
L.A. has arguably the two most valuable players in baseball in Mike Trout and Ohtani, and MLB fans want nothing more than to see those two guys playing for a contending squad.
With the addition of Syndergaard, things are moving in the right direction.
The organization still has some weak spots to address this offseason, but it’s hard to not be excited about the possibility of the Angels cracking the playoffs in 2022.
NEXT: Angels Express Confidence In Noah Syndergaard By Outbidding Mets