By Jordan Long
The Colorado Rockies are looking to upgrade their team this winter after a 91-72 record, making the playoffs for the 2nd straight year. They made it to the National League Division series before being swept by Milwaukee. They will be looking for a 3rd consecutive trip to the postseason. Rumors are starting to swirl they are interested in trading for Noah “Thor” Syndergaard to boost the starting pitching rotation.
Syndergaard is under contract for the next 3-years before he hits free agency. Colorado could use his arm. Syndergaard went 13-4 for the Mets last season. He commanded games with his pitching location with a total of 155 strike outs. When he missed his location, batters didn’t take advantage and he gave up only an impressive 9 home runs. His ERA was 3.03. In his career Syndergaard is 37-22 with a 2.93 ERA.
If Colorado trades for Syndergaard, he becomes the ace of the pitching staff which Colorado is missing. The Rockies thought Jon Gray would be the #1 pitcher. He wasn’t bad going 12-9 last year but his problem was his ERA. When it came to big games, Gray caved and let opponents score runs, costing the Rockies a chance at winning the National League West Division. His ERA was an unimpressive 5.12.
Colorado trusted Kyle Freeland who is probably the top pitcher in the rotation. Freeland didn’t allow many runs with an ERA of 2.85 which helped him to a record of 17-7. Colorado needs another pitcher to add to the mix and Syndergaard would fix that problem.
The downside is a trade. Colorado will need to make a deal with the Mets in order to bring Syndergaard to the Mile High City. They may not want to part with some of their young talent in the minors. The Mets asking price might be too much for Colorado which will lead to another team landing Syndergaard.
Colorado should see what the asking price is for Syndergaard. If it isn’t that high make the transaction. He might be the difference in Colorado winning the National League West Division for the first time in franchise history as well as making a deeper run in the playoffs.
That would be a heckuva trade Jordan.