White Sox Hot Stove: Imagining a trade for Noah Syndergaard

With teams like the White Sox, the sheer number of needs creates the desire for speculation.

One of the latest Hot Stove ideas involves the rumors about right-handed fire-ball pitcher Noah Syndergaard.

David Adler with MLB.com suggested that the White Sox should pursue the pitcher who is supposedly being shopped by the Mets front office. Of course, the first team he suggested to go after Thor was the Cubs. But, on to the Sox …

Adler wrote one exciting thing about Syndergaard fitting into the White Sox rotation:

"“Imagine Thor and Michael Kopech at the top of the rotation in 2020, when Kopech returns from Tommy John surgery. That could make for one of the most fearsome starting-pitching tandems in the league.”"

I’d like to see that one-two punch with Kopech in 2020. But, I’d also pay good money to see Syndergaard pitch every five days in Chicago in 2019.

Issues with the Mets

The Mets are a team with issues. They have a pair of good pitchers and a bunch of injured players. But, because they are in New York, they cannot go through long-term rebuilds. Unfortunately, their front office doesn’t like to spend an excessive amount of money like the Yankees front office. So, they can’t quite accomplish what their fans want them to do.

While the ChiSox have holes to fill, the Mets have even more. The Sox have position players that could help the Mets in exchange for a pitcher like Syndergaard.

One of the best pitching duels ever

One of the most exciting games I’ve ever seen live was a pitching duel in 2016 between Syndergaard and Justin Verlander in Detroit. This was a baseball fan’s dream and the pair of fastball pitchers did not disappoint. Syndergaard threw pitches over 100 MPH on a regular basis and with his 6’6 frame, he looked like a superhero on the mound.

At the time, Syndergaard was only 24 years old. Verlander is nine years older than Thor. Despite the age difference and the experience, Syndergaard went toe-to-toe with the Cy Young winner and held his own. That’s saying something.

And, he’s just entering his prime.

Syndergaard would make Sox fans happy

It would be nice to see the Sox get a big-name pitcher like Syndergaard. This kid is only 26 years old and has plenty of time left to continue to impact the MLB. His career ERA of 2.93 and WHIP of 1.132 would make him the ace of the AL Central (especially if the Indians clean house).

The Sox can easily afford a pitcher like Syndergaard. And, why shouldn’t they go after him? What have they got to lose? Plus, wouldn’t be fun to outbid the team to the north because our prospects are better!

Next. White Sox rumored to be interested in Eovaldi. dark

Since Syndergaard isn’t a free agent, he might not be on the radar of fans. But, he’s still so young that 2019 is his first year of arbitration. He doesn’t enter free agency until 2022. So, for an affordable contract and a few prospects, Rick Hahn could make a trade that would thrill fans and fill seats – at least every five days.

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