Dodgers News: Noah Syndergaard Turned Down Larger Offer to Sign With LA

The Dodgers signed right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard to a one-year, $13 million contract on Wednesday, which seemed a little light by this offseason’s standards. Sean Manaea got two years, and Jameson Taillon and Taijuan Walker got four years each. Seeing Syndergaard sign a one-year deal was a little surprising.

As it turns out, we were probably right to be surprised.

Noah had multiyear options for more $ elsewhere but preferred 1 year in LA. Also $1.5M incentives. https://t.co/EeUKqavWX1

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2022

According to Dodgers beat writer Fabian Ardaya in The Athletic, Syndergaard chose to bet on himself and put his faith in L.A.’s development system.

Syndergaard, 30, had offers for more years and guaranteed money elsewhere, a source said, but instead opted for the opportunity to work in the Dodgers’ pitching development factory and perhaps reset his market.

He will have an opportunity to earn an additional $1.5 million in incentives, a source said. Then Syndergaard can reenter the market after a chance to enjoy success similar to Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney, who each turned one-year deals from the Dodgers (Anderson for $8 million, Heaney for $8.5 million) into multiyear windfalls. Those two earned a combined $64 million guaranteed this winter in deals with the Angels and Rangers.

After seeing the success Anderson and Heaney had, it makes sense for Syndergaard — who has better tools than either of them — to try to replicate that magic with the Dodgers. If Mark Prior can do his magic once again, it will be a win/win for Syndergaard and L.A., as he could be the best fifth starter in baseball.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!