Detroit Tigers: Five non-Verlander starters to pursue

5. New York Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard

Perhaps the flashiest of the bunch is also the riskiest. Mets pitcher Noah “Thor” Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery before the 2020 season started. There is no good time for such an injury, but Syndergaard likely only missed out on 40-50 starts rather than the typical 60-70 with the pandemic-shortened season in 2020.

A COVID outbreak during his rehab caused a bit of a setback, but Syndergaard did make his way back to the New York Mets in 2021 to pitch two separate one-inning ‘opener’ starts. A scoreless debut with two strikeouts was followed by a 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 K, 1 HR performance in Atlanta.

Syndergaard’s sinker and four-seamer were both

down a couple of ticks

from their 2019 averages, which is not outside of the norm, and figures to improve the further he separates himself from the surgery.

Given his lack of innings post-surgery, medicals will undoubtedly play a vital role in deciding if pursuing the 29-year-old flamethrower is wise. It would be a gamble in any case, but the thought of Chris Fetter working intimately with Syndergaard would fire up this fan.