How much longer can the Dodgers tolerate these wildly underperforming players?

Noah Syndergaard

Noah Syndergaard is unfortunately another option fitting the whole "Dodgers are desperately trying to get aging players to start producing again" label. He was decent but not great last year for the Angels and Phillies.

Signed to a one-year, $13 million deal with the Dodgers, Thor is susceptible to a mid-season release if he can't turn things around, primarily because the club will not be on the hook for anything relating to him beyond this year.

Through 10 outings, Syndergaard has struggled mightily doing what he used to do best: strike guys out and prevent baserunners. In 47.1 innings, he has a 6.27 ERA, 4.51 FIP and 71 ERA+. His strikeout numbers are down from his career norms while he has allowed just under 11 hits per nine innings, which is a troubling trend to see from a player who was once destined for stardom.

There doesn't seem to be an easy fix for him, either, which certainly doesn't help his case. A look at his Baseball Savant page will tell you that he's clearly allowing way too much hard contact and virtually every single one of his offerings are being lit up like Christmas trees. For this former ace, a premature trip to free agency may be in the cards. There's just no room for a pitcher struggling this badly on a team that's eyeing greatness.