Noah Syndergaard helped the New York Mets reach the World Series in 2015, his first season there, and has called New York his home until he signed with the Los Angeles Angels in free agency. He said that his decision to leave the Mets was the toughest choice of his life.
Syndergaard signed a one-year deal worth $21 million to team up with American League MVP Shohei Ohtani. In his introductory press conference with Los Angeles, Syndergaard explained that the Mets' lack of communication was the reason why he felt compelled to leave them. Per Sports Illustrated's Dan Lyons:
Syndergaard was asked if he still felt wanted by the Mets, after the team was reportedly fairly quiet around him aside from giving the qualifying offer. He took issue with the Mets' lack of communication, he said, but his interview with Angels GM Perry Minasian played a big role too.
“I never got that sort of vibe from them at all,” Syndergaard said. “I just knew that they had a lot on their plate, and a lot going on with them, in search of finding the GM, but I just really appreciated the way that Perry came with a game plan that was extremely thorough and with all the resources and I felt really confident in that.”
Syndergaard was an All-Star in 2016 but is about to enter his 30s with a history of injuries. He started just two games last year and missed all of the shortened 2020 season after receiving Tommy John surgery in his right elbow.
The Angles, who are in serious need of pitching, will hope that Syndergaard can restore his once-elite abilities. His career ERA of 3.32 and career FIP of 2.93 suggest that he could be a solid addition to Los Angeles' pitching core if he can remain healthy.
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