Dodgers, Guardians Complete Noah Syndergaard-Amed Rosario Swap
In an effort to help address each other’s needs, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians announced a one-for-one trade Wednesday night, including a pair of well-known veterans.
The two teams agreed to swap right-hander Noah Syndergaard and shortstop Amed Rosario, with cash considerations also being sent to Cleveland in the deal. Both clubs made the trade official once medical reports on both players became approved.
Syndergaard, who is currently on the 15-day IL due to a blister and hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 7th, signed a one-year deal worth $13 million with the Dodgers last off-season. He is, however, on the road to recovery.
The 30-year-old has made two rehab assignments thus far, although his first went much smoother than his most recent outing. After surrendering two runs but striking out six over five innings, the veteran righty was tagged for four runs on six hits and punched out only a pair through five.
That lines up with his poor 2023 results with Los Angeles, as Syndergaard owns an inflated 7.16 ERA and a 5.54 FIP over 12 starts. Strikeouts have been fairly non-existent, leading to a career-low 15.4 percent rate.
Things haven’t been much better for Rosario, who hit .265 /306/.369 with an 86 wRC+ across 94 games with Cleveland. His defense has also been inadequate, with his DRS (-15) and OAA (-15) ranking last in the majors at his position, labelling him the worst-defensive shortstop.
Rosario, earning $7.8 million in his final arbitration year, was worth -0.1 fWAR during his third season with the Guardians. Syndergaard, who will be joining his fifth team in two years, was worth an even zero fWAR in his brief stint with the Dodgers.
Since neither player held much value, Los Angeles is responsible for $2 million of the $4.9 million left owing to Syndergaard – the same amount owed to Rosario, making the trade an even financial swap.
Once healthy, the 6-foot-6 hurler will join a Guardians starting rotation that includes Aaron Civale, Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen. That group could look a bit different after the August 1st trade deadline however.
A much more fearsome staff is also on the injured list, featuring Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Cal Quantrill and now Syndergaard. But the former New York Met appears to be the only one nearing a return.
As for Rosario, the former Met will attempt to fill Los Angeles’ hole at shortstop – a vacancy created by Gavin Lux’s torn ACL – alongside veterans Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas. He could also spend time in the outfield, given his previous experience in centre.
The Dodgers might not be finished adding to their infield, either, as they have reportedly held trade discussions surrounding St. Louis’ Nolan Arenado, according to the LA Times’ Jack Harris. But he’d first have to waive his no-trade clause before any deal could happen.
Still, general manager Andrew Friedman could have a few more tricks up his sleeve before next Tuesday’s trade deadline.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.