New York Mets right-hand pitcher Noah Syndergaard agreed to a one-year deal and managed to avoid going through an arbitration process. According to multiple reports, Syndergaard will earn $9.7 million in 2021.
The team announced the news on Tuesday on social media. The deal represents a good move for the Mets, as they are holding on to an important part of their rotation for at least one more year.
Since making his MLB debut for the franchise in 2015, Syndergaard posted a 47-30 record with a 3.31 ERA and 775 strikeouts. He was also an All-Star in 2016.
The 28-year-old veteran, on the other hand, gets the chance for a bounce-back season before entering free agency next year. Syndergaard missed the entire 2020 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March but is expected to play at some point in the new season.
According to Mets manager Luis Rojas, Syndergaard is recovering well and is “a little bit ahead of schedule” in the rehab process.
“You know how Noah works and goes about it,” Rojas told reporters. “He’s a hard worker, so he’s a guy that was going to face this surgery and rehab the best you could face it. So he’s doing it as we expected.”
Despite locking Syndergaard, the Mets are expected to add more pitching help through free agency. They are reportedly interested in Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and are expected to make a strong push for him in the following weeks.