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Auggie

(31,798 posts)
Thu Jul 27, 2023, 04:18 AM Jul 2023

Minor deal: Guardians acquire Noah Syndergaard from LA in exchange for SS Rosario

Rosario has been a consistent offensive provider for the Guardians over the last two and half years. But statistically, he’s ranked among the worst defenders at any position in the Majors. And when it became clear he wasn’t going to be part of Cleveland’s future, as he’s set for free agency this winter, he created a logjam in the middle of the Guardians infield, blocking a handful of their highly touted prospects from getting more playing time as the team hoped his offense and/or defense would start improving as the season continued.

Syndergaard, 30, adds some pitching depth to the Guardians' rotation that is in desperate need of extra arms. He’s pitched to a 7.16 ERA this season with 38 strikeouts and just nine walks in 55 1/3 innings. The righty was one of the hardest-throwing starters in baseball when he began his career in 2015. But once he had to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2020, he hasn't been the same.

Syndergaard's fastball velocity has dropped significantly, as he averaged 93.5 mph on his heater last season and 91.5 mph so far this year. He battled issues with a blister on his right index finger and has been on the injured list since June 8. He began his rehab assignment on July 15 and has given up six runs in 10 innings over two starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

“He had a blister issue initially where he did miss some time,” (Guardians president of baseball operations) Chris Antonetti said. “Since then, he’s been working to regain his mechanics and to be able to find some success. He’s made some progress we felt in the last two rehab starts, and so our hope is that we can continue to partner with him and help him contribute at the Major League level in the starting rotation.”

MORE: https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guardians-trade-amed-rosario-to-dodgers-for-noah-syndergaard

Guardian coaches have a good history of resurrecting / fine-tuning pitchers. This is still a roll of the dice, but if it doesn't work out, at least Cleveland retains their top prospects.


19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Minor deal: Guardians acquire Noah Syndergaard from LA in exchange for SS Rosario (Original Post) Auggie Jul 2023 OP
If they can get his ERA True Dough Jul 2023 #1
Agree. They also need innings. Auggie Jul 2023 #2
Bibee is back on the hill tonight True Dough Jul 2023 #3
Bibee did well enough for the W tonight! True Dough Jul 2023 #4
I am not crazy about this trade. Diamond_Dog Jul 2023 #5
I hear that. I think the need for innings is greater than Rosario's bat right now. Auggie Jul 2023 #6
MacKenzie, too. Three starters on the IL for us. Diamond_Dog Jul 2023 #7
Thor makes his Guardians debut tonight True Dough Jul 2023 #8
That was a good first outing True Dough Aug 2023 #9
Yep Auggie Aug 2023 #10
Maybe True Dough Aug 2023 #11
Maybe ... Auggie Aug 2023 #12
Yes, I imagine it is. True Dough Aug 2023 #13
Now it's over! True Dough Aug 2023 #14
Yeah, probably retirement Auggie Aug 2023 #15
Yeah, they say he's one of the easiest pitchers to steal bases against in all of MLB True Dough Aug 2023 #16
Lot of promise ... Auggie Aug 2023 #17
Lucas Giolito True Dough Aug 2023 #18
Thanks for the update ... Auggie Sep 2023 #19

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
1. If they can get his ERA
Thu Jul 27, 2023, 04:25 AM
Jul 2023

back under 4.00, I think that would be a "win." Not sure that will happen though. He sure was a bright prospect in his younger days.

Auggie

(31,798 posts)
2. Agree. They also need innings.
Thu Jul 27, 2023, 04:29 AM
Jul 2023

Their three call-ups -- Williams, Bibee and Allen -- are building arm strength and limited by pitch count.

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
4. Bibee did well enough for the W tonight!
Thu Jul 27, 2023, 10:01 PM
Jul 2023

Dylan Cease, not quite well enough. Clase nails it down.

On to the next one!

Diamond_Dog

(34,613 posts)
5. I am not crazy about this trade.
Sat Jul 29, 2023, 08:33 PM
Jul 2023

Thor is a big gamble. Rosario was a key part of our offense. I know, I know, he will be a free agent. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Auggie

(31,798 posts)
6. I hear that. I think the need for innings is greater than Rosario's bat right now.
Sun Jul 30, 2023, 12:59 PM
Jul 2023

Had Bieber and Quantill not been injured there's no way that trade gets made.

Diamond_Dog

(34,613 posts)
7. MacKenzie, too. Three starters on the IL for us.
Sun Jul 30, 2023, 01:21 PM
Jul 2023

It’s been a bad year for us in that regard. Rookies have been pretty good filling in, but I suppose they don’t want to overwork them.

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
8. Thor makes his Guardians debut tonight
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 05:10 AM
Jul 2023

against the Astros. Not the easiest lineup to face. We'll see how it goes...

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
9. That was a good first outing
Tue Aug 1, 2023, 03:17 AM
Aug 2023

The outcome of the game was rather ugly, but Syndergaard did his part: 5.1 innings (on only 68 pitches), allowing 2 hits and only 1 earned run. No strikeouts, but it was against a formidable Astros offense.

Reasons for hope.

Auggie

(31,798 posts)
12. Maybe ...
Thu Aug 17, 2023, 06:19 AM
Aug 2023

Cleveland announcers said last night that Carl Willis, pitching coach, has been working with Syndergaard on an approach that doesn't rely on velocity (it's way lower since Tommy John surgery). I'm sure Willis isn't the first to try, though to his credit, he's behind some very impressive career rebuilds. Syndergaard ruled baseball in recent years. You know he's trying. This must be very tough on him.

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
13. Yes, I imagine it is.
Thu Aug 17, 2023, 08:24 PM
Aug 2023

He's 31. Pitchers shouldn't be throwing in the towel at that age, but wear and tear affects each of us differently. Personally, I know I'm as spry as I was as a young pup in high school!

Auggie

(31,798 posts)
15. Yeah, probably retirement
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 05:44 AM
Aug 2023
5.40 ERA over six starts with the Guardians, enduring a lot of hard contact as he struggled locating his pitches. Quote: “It just feels like I’m pitching on ice skates,” Syndergaard said after a six-run start against the Reds on Aug. 16. “I feel like every time I try to use my legs, they slip out underneath me.” https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guardians-designate-for-assignment-noah-syndergaard


Cleveland is making room to bring back injured starter Cal Quantrill, expected September 1st. In the meantime they can call up a fresh reliever for the Minnesota series.

Syndergaard has given up 10 home in five August starts. Average velocity on the fastball, and gives up many stolen bases. He did fill a need, though.

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
16. Yeah, they say he's one of the easiest pitchers to steal bases against in all of MLB
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 06:56 AM
Aug 2023

Regardless, Cleveland is blessed with four young starters who weren't even with the team when the season opened: Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen and Xzavion Curry. There's a ton of promise there for next year.

Auggie

(31,798 posts)
17. Lot of promise ...
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 07:21 AM
Aug 2023

though they might need a different hitting coach. The young 'uns do well in the minors but struggle in the bigs.

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
18. Lucas Giolito
Thu Aug 31, 2023, 08:53 PM
Aug 2023

Another reclamation project. The Guardians have an attraction. Hope springs eternal!

Auggie

(31,798 posts)
19. Thanks for the update ...
Fri Sep 1, 2023, 04:52 AM
Sep 2023

three arms, two for the bullpen (which they needed).

September 1st, and they're not giving up.

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