The industry reaction to the Angels agreeing with free-agent right-hander Noah Syndergaard on a one-year, $21 million contract was perhaps best summarized by one rival executive.
“F—— ludicrous,” the executive said.
The exec reasoned that Syndergaard, after throwing just two innings the past two seasons coming off Tommy John surgery, probably will be good for only about 125 innings next season. So, the Angels are paying a premium rate for a pitcher who will work only about 70 percent of a 180-inning workload, not that many starters even reach that total anymore (only 18 did in 2021).
Factor in the penalties — the second-round pick and $500,000 in international bonus pool money the Angels will sacrifice because the Mets extended Syndergaard a qualifying offer — and the acquisition cost grows even higher. The pick figures to be around No. 50, and the slot value of that selection last season was just under $1.5 million. As we know from Mets owner Steve Cohen, teams estimate picks to be worth up to five times their slot value. In this case, that would be about $7.5 million.
So, what exactly are the Angels doing when they already are committed to paying Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and
