Pittsburgh Pirates Reportedly Interested in Veteran Free Agent Starting Pitcher

According to FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray, the Pittsburgh Pirates have expressed interest in veteran starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard

On Tuesday, former All-Star starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard threw a bullpen session in front of MLB clubs. According to FanSided's MLB insider Robert Murray, the Pittsburgh Pirates were one of these teams. Murray also reported that the Pirates have expressed interest in signing Syndergaard.

The Pirates showing interest in Syndergaard should not come as a surprise. With less than three weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton, the Pirates are still in dire need of starting pitching help. Thus far this offseason Ben Cherington and the front office have not shown the willingness to spend what must be spent on the starting pitching free agent market, but Syndergaard would likely come cheap.

Once one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, Syndergaard has struggled in recent seasons. Pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians, Syndergaard posted a 6.50 ERA and a 6.20 FIP in 88.2 innings pitched across 18 starts last season. In addition to having the worst ERA and FIP of his career, outside of his 2021 season that was limited to just two starts, his 14.3% strikeout rate was also a career worst.

Syndergaard has made 44 starts since the start of the 2021 season, posting a 4.99 ERA and a 4.80 FIP in 225.1 innings pitched. After missing all of 2020 due to Tommy John surgery, he was limited to just two starts in 2021 after experiencing elbow discomfort while rehabbing from surgery. He battled blister issues in 2023 before being released by the Guardians at the end of August.

Signing Syndergaard would not appear to do much to fix the Pirate rotation needs. It is far from a guarantee that Syndergaard would be a better option in 2024 than in house options such as Roansy Contreras, Luis Ortiz, or Bailey Falter.

If the Pirates are still going to spend money on starting pitching this offseason, which they should be looking to do, they would be better off spending the money elsewhere.