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NY Post
New York Post
28 Jul 2023


NextImg:Noah Syndergaard: ‘A lot of cooks in the kitchen’ to blame for Dodgers struggles

Noah Syndergaard didn’t hold back after the Dodgers traded him to the Cleveland Guardians for shortstop Amed Rosario on Wednesday.

After the All-Star pitcher touched down in Chicago — where the Guardians beat the White Sox, 6-3, at Guaranteed Rate Field — he wasted no time before claiming some from the Dodgers — and his former teams, the Angels and Phillies — tried to change his style of pitching.

“For the last two years I’ve had a lot of cooks in the kitchen, a lot of people thinking they can come out and fix me,” the 30-year-old Syndergaard said, according to Cleveland.com. “Some of them may have been right. Some of them were right, but the translation wasn’t getting to me.

“I just think (I should) go out there and not really listen to what people think I should and should not be doing, but just do what feels good and natural to me. I feel some people are trying to get me to do certain things that aren’t characteristic to how I used to pitch.”

Syndergaard is now hoping for a fresh start with Cleveland.

Noah Syndergaard #43 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 7, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Getty Images

“There have been a lot of emotions [about the trade],” he said. “The balance between a lot of excitement and disappointment in myself because my time with the Dodgers didn’t necessarily go as planned.

“I didn’t blossom into the pitcher I wanted to be. Maybe a fresh start is all I need to bounce back.”

Syndergaard arrived in Chicago early Thursday after a red-eye flight and met with manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Carl Willis, according to ESPN.

Noah Syndergaard #43 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 7, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Noah Syndergaard #43 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 7, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Getty Images

“We told him that we just want to see the best of him,” Francona said. “If we see that, everybody is going to be happy.”

The Guardians are Syndergaard’s fourth team in two years.

The former Mets star signed a one-year deal worth $13 million, plus incentives, with the Dodgers in December.

    At the time, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Syndergaard had multi-year offers for more money from other teams, but preferred to spend one year with the Dodgers.

    The right-hander posted a 7.16 ERA in 12 starts in L.A. before being sidelined with a blister last month — which he called a blessing in disguise, according to Cleveland.com.

    “I needed a little mental reset. It’s kind of hard to change the tires on a car while it’s still moving. You’re trying to compete every five days, while working on stuff. You really only get one opportunity between starts in your side sessions to work on things.

    “It was a nice break to address some issues. I’m definitely feeling a lot better mechanically.”

    (L to R) Carl Willis #51 and Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians walk off the field in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

    (L to R) Carl Willis #51 and Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians walk off the field in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.
    Getty Images

    He went 10-10 with a 3.94 ERA last season with the Angels and Phillies.

    Syndergaard’s short-lived tenure with the Dodgers didn’t go as planned, however, his struggles began before he joined the team.

    The pitcher saw a decline in production after he underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2020, which forced him to miss the entire season that year.

    Other setbacks in 2021 limited his time on the field.

     Noah Syndergaard #43 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 9, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    Noah Syndergaard #43 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 9, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    Getty Images

    “He’s a guy with a really good pedigree, who has fallen on hard times this year,” Francona said.

    “We asked him, ‘What’s important to you?’ So often managers and pitching coaches start out and just talk. We wanted him to talk and he did a good job.

    “Carl was like, ‘OK, we’ll simplify things. I’m not going to say anything to you right away. I’m going watch and I don’t want to jump in and make stuff up.”

    Syndergaard will make his first start as a Guardian on Monday against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

    He made two rehab starts at Class AAA Oklahoma City.