For years, the Phillies faced two right-handed starters with great regularity: Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard.  The duo were anchors to the New York Mets rotation (when healthy, of course).  Both of them are healthy in 2022.  Might they reunite in a starting rotation?



The Phillies might have the financial strength to take on the remaining $7 million owed to Syndergaard, lessening the burden of prospects.    But since the Angels currently come in about $20 million under the luxury tax threshold, they might insist upon prospects in a deal.

The Braves sent no prospects to acquire Jake Odorizzi, as they have reportedly sent reliever Will Smith to the Astros.

Syndergaard is 5-8 with a 3.83 earned run average in 2022.  He has struck out 64 in 80 innings over 15 starts.

Syndergaard will be a free agent at season's end, which could also reduce the overall cost.  The Phillies reportedly were shopping for a starter they could put into a playoff rotation.  Syndergaard might be that, but he is not signed beyond 2022.  He signed a one-year, $21 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels instead of accepting an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the Mets.

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