Dodgers Rumors: Noah Syndergaard garners interest from LA

The Dodgers may be off today but the rumor mill takes no days off ahead of the trade deadline. Noah Syndergaard is the latest player linked to LA.

The schedule shows an off day but that doesn’t mean the Dodgers and Andrew Friedman are taking any time off ahead of the trade deadline.  The Mets have become open to the idea of trading away Noah Syndergaard and the Dodgers are interested.  That doesn’t mean the Dodgers will go into a full pursuit of Thor but it is newsworthy.

Noah will turn twenty-seven years old next month and is in the midst of a down season.  He currently has a 4.33 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.  Syndergaard’s strikeout rate per nine innings has dropped from 9.75 to 8.75 this season while his walk rate is only slightly up from his career average.

Stuff wise, Noah Syndergaard still brings the heat.  He has averaged 97.5 miles per hour on his fastball this season and at least physically has shown so signs of injury or decline.  Thor seemed to abandon his slider in May and June but has begun throwing it more in July.  He also has that power sinker that is unhittable when he is on.

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With two seasons of control remaining through arbitration, the asking price for Syndergaard is said to be a top 30 prospect and a few other pieces.  The Dodgers do have Keibert Ruiz who fits that bill and has become more tradeable with the rise of Will Smith.  Will Smith now slots in as the number four prospect in the organization behind Ruiz.

A disastrous April has wrecked Syndergaard’s stat line as he pitched to an ERA over six.  Over the last few months, his stats have been more consistent and in three starts since the All-Star break, Noah has a 2.57 ERA.  Perhaps the Dodgers could get the Mets to include a reliever in a deal such as Edwin Diaz or Seth Lugo.

While the Dodgers would not need a starting pitcher when at full strength, their rotation is not at full strength and may not be for the rest of the season and postseason.  Rich Hill has begun throwing again but he is no lock to make it back into the rotation.  Given the single trade deadline, the Dodgers would not be able to acquire another starter if needed after July 31st.

Andrew Friedman has repeatedly mentioned that the Dodgers are pursuing elite arms ahead of the deadline.  The sudden willingness of the Mets to deal Syndergaard could make it an even bigger trade deadline for the Dodgers with Friedman swinging for the fences.