Angels sign Syndergaard

*Photo from the New York Post*

   The Los Angeles Angels made it very clear during the GM meetings earlier this offseason that what they wanted was upgrades to the much maligned pitching staff. They've gotten off to a quick start. The Angels and RHP Noah Syndergaard have agreed to a one year, $21 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Angels have confirmed the deal.

   Because they signed Syndergaard, they will have to forfeit a second round draft pick in the 2022 draft, which will be sent to the New York Mets as compensation, as they had extended the qualifying offer to Syndergaard earlier this offseason. Syndergaard and Angels GM Perry Minasian have history together, as Minasian was with the Blue Jays when they originally drafted Syndergaard in 2010.

   Angels GM Perry Minasian said of landing Syndergaard that "There were multiple teams interested, and so it's somewhat flattering he picked us. I think it's a partnership. We're betting on him, and he's betting on us. He did not come here to lose. He wants to win as bad as any player I've talked to. He's as competitive as it gets. And that's the kind of guy we're looking for."

   Syndergaard is coming off of Tommy John surgery, so he did not pitch at all in 2020, and made two starts at the end of the season for the Mets. This alone makes him somewhat of a gamble signing, but when he's healthy, Syndergaard is a true flamethrower, so it could pay dividends for the Angels if he returns to solid form next season.

   Prior to finishing 2021 healthy, his last fully healthy season came with the Mets in 2019. That season, Syndergaard had a 10-8 record with a 4.28 ERA, striking out 202 hitters while walking just 50, starting 32 games for the Mets that season, throwing 197 2/3 innings. He also allowed just 1.1 homers every 9 innings, a great mark.

   In 4 fully healthy seasons, and 6 seasons in the majors total, Syndergaard has a career 47-31 record with a 3.32 ERA, punching out 777 hitters and walking 166, allowing just under one homer per 9 innings while throwing 718 innings, making 120 starts, and one appearance out of the bullpen, which came in the 2016 season, his all star year. 

   Minasian said of Syndergaards's strong numbers when healthy that "I think it's huge upside. I think when he's right, he's one of the better pitchers in the game. He's one of those guys that you want to give the ball to in big spots, and his postseason history tells you that. And on top of that, I think the aggressiveness or moxie he pitches with, complements our rotation really well."

   Syndergaard made his MLB debut in the 2015 season, which helped create a deadly rotation of Jacob Degrom, Matt Harvey, and Syndergaard, which didn't last very long, but it did help the Mets win the NL pennant that year and make the world series, where they ultimately lost in 5 games. 2016 was his best season, when he had a 2.60 ERA and an MLB best 2.29 fielding independent pitching(FIP), making the all star game and finishing 8th in the Cy Young race.

   Despite the risks associated with signing Syndergaard, he is a necessary addition for the Angels. Shohei Ohtani is currently the only consistent starter in their rotation, and even he doesn't start every 5th day all season, just because of his workload. Syndergaard will slot in at the top of the rotation, with Patrick Sandoval right behind him, and Jose Suarez fighting for a rotation spot, with top prospects Janson Junk and Reid Detmers in the mix as well.