August 28th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Late Sunday afternoon it was widely reported on social media that soon-to-be (tomorrow) 31-year-old one-time Dodger and eight-year MLB veteran right-hander Noah Syndergaard had been designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians after his dismal 2023 season during which he posted a 1-2 record and a 5.40 ERA in the six games (all starts) with the AL Central second place Guardians.
Although there has been no official word that ‘Thor,’ as Syndergaard is affectionately known because of his striking resemblance to artist Mårten Eskil Winge’s 1872 painting of the mythical god, is retiring from the game, it is simply hard to believe that any MLB team would be willing to roll the dice on the 6’-6” hard throwing righthander who has played for five different teams during his eight big league seasons – the New York Mets, the Angels of Anaheim, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers, and the Guardians.
(Wikipedia)
As fans may recall, Syndergaard signed a one-year/$13 million free agent contract with the Dodgers on December 16, 2022. He appeared in 12 games (all starts) with the Dodgers, posting a less-than-stellar 1-4 record and an even less stellar 7.16 ERA.
The Dodgers traded Syndergaard to Cleveland on July 26, 2023, in exchange for 27-year-old utility infielder Amed Rosario, who has since become the Dodgers primary second baseman. As of this writing, Rosario owns a .243 batting average with three home runs and 14 RBIs in his 30 games as a Dodger. He has also played exceptional defense, having committed zero errors in his 22 games as the Dodgers second baseman and seven at shortstop. He also served as the Dodgers designated hitter for one game.
(Jon SooHoo)
Needless to say, and meaning absolutely no disrespect whatsoever to the Mansfield, TX native and first-round draft pick in 2010 by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Legacy High School in Mansfield, TX, the Dodgers clearly won that trade.
Although it appears that Syndergaard may have already made his last major league pitch, the entire staff at ThinkBlueLA.com wishes nothing but the very best to Thor and his family.
Play Ball!
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Syndergaard will probably get a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training by some team. Unless he learns how to be a pitcher and not just a thrower, like Kershaw, he is toast. Not sure he has the tools, either physically or mentally, to make the necessary changes.
It’s a shame he had a super arm and was a great pitcher for the Mets. I think whan the Dodgers signed him they were expecting him to continue the improvement he showed last yr and become a solid starter back end of the rotation. Unfortunately he slid very far backwards and quite frankly was awful. The best thing about Thor was being able to deal him for Rosario. Thor could be done.
Is it me or are most pitchers in this day in age going to get arm problems? When I was growing up, it didn’t seem like there was that many I do remember Bill singer getting elbow problems. And speaking of that Tony Gonsolin is going on to get Tommy John surgery. Does every dodger starting pitcher that comes up in the system not named Kershaw I have to get Tommy John surgery?
Old Nelson I agree. I think this obsession with velocity is the culprit.