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Blue Jays: Three risky pitchers to consider signing this offseason

By Tyson Shushkewich

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 28: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning in game 2 of a double header against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 28, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Marlins 2-1 in nine innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Noah Syndergaard

Originally drafted in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Blue Jays, Noah Syndergaard was one of the top prospects in the organization before he was traded to the New York Mets as part of the package deal for R.A. Dickey during the 2012/2013 offseason.

Making his Major League debut in 2015, Syndergaard currently owns a 3.32 ERA through 120 starts (121 appearances total) with 777 strikeouts, 166 walks, and a 1.162 WHIP through 718.0 innings.

Heading to free agency for the first time in his career, the right-hander is in a peculiar spot given his injury history. He made only seven starts in 2017 due to a torn muscle in his throwing arm and recently missed a majority of the past two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery prior to the 2020 campaign. He made two starts at the end of the 2021 campaign, surrendering two earned runs through just 2.0 innings pitched.

When Syndergaard is healthy, he can be absolutely dominant on the mound, evident by his 3.32 career ERA. The issue is whether he can return from Tommy John surgery and find that groove that makes him such a strong pitcher and can he stay healthy for a majority of the season, especially since he won’t come with any type of discount.

Another wrinkle thrown into the mix is that the former Blue Jays prospect is eligible for a qualifying offer, a decision that will be coming soon for the Mets organization. I would imagine he will sign the offer if presented with the QO, meaning no team will be able to sign him and the Jays won’t even get a chance to bring Syndergaard back this offseason.

If he does get the QO and rejects it, the pros and cons will have to be weighed considering the club will lose a draft pick and he does have the health risk coming off the surgery.

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