The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Noah Syndergaard to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Amed Rosario, completing their second deal in as many days as the August 1 deadline approaches. The Dodgers also sent cash considerations to the Guardians as part of the trade.
Syndergaard’s time with the Dodgers comes to an end seven months after he signed a one-year, $13 million contract. He reportedly turned down more lucrative offers to sign with the Dodgers, because of a belief their ballyhooed pitching coaches would succeed in getting him back on track.
Instead, Syndergaard’s fastball velocity remained diminished and his control regressed. The right-hander dealt with blister trouble during multiple starts, which ultimately resulted in getting placed on the 15-day injured list June 8.
Syndergaard recently began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing six runs on 10 hits over two starts. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said the team would have a critical eye of Syndergaard’s performances while on rehab before determining if or when he could be activated.
Syndergaard went 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA, 5.54 FIP and 1.45 WHIP in 12 starts for the Dodgers. His ERA was the third-highest mark by a Dodgers pitcher through their first 12 starts of a season.
Only Hideo Nomo (7.26 in 2004) and Carlos Pérez (7.25 in 1999) had higher ERAs than Syndergaard over such a stretch.
Dodgers trade analysis: Amed Rosario
Rosario once was a top prospect in baseball for the New York Mets and considered a potential five-tool player. However, Rosario has had limited success since his MLB debut in 2017.
This season, the 27-year-old is batting .265/.306/.369 with three home runs, 40 RBI, 51 runs scored, nine stolen bases, an 86 wRC+. What Rosario does extremely well is hit left-handed pitching, batting .303/.345/.477 with a 123 wRC+ against southpaws.
Defensively, Rosario ranks in the 1st percentile of outs above average at shortstop and he’s also seen some limited time in the outfield during his career.
“I know he’s a heck of a ballplayer,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to the trade being made official. “I don’t know if it’s finalized or what. I’m just trying to process this game, but I do know I like him as a ballplayer.”
Rosario is in his final year of salary arbitration and will become a free agent after the 2023 season.
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