Guardians trade Rosario to Dodgers for Syndergaard
The Cleveland Guardians traded Amed Rosario to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Noah Syndergaard and cash, the clubs announced Wednesday night.
Rosario is playing on a one-year, $7.8-million contract, which he signed with Cleveland to avoid arbitration in the offseason. The 27-year-old slashed .265/.306/.369 with 51 runs scored, three home runs, and 40 RBIs in 412 plate appearances over 94 games with the Guardians this season.
He was in his third year with Cleveland after spending his first four seasons with the New York Mets. The Dominican-born shortstop also stole nine bases and hit 19 doubles with the American League squad in 2023.
Syndergaard went 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP in 12 starts with the Dodgers this season. The right-hander struck out 38 batters and walked nine over 55.1 innings. The Guardians will be his fifth team in the last three years. He split the 2022 campaign between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels after six years with the Mets.
The Dodgers are paying down $2 million of Syndergaard's $4.9-million salary, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The Guardians will be responsible for the remaining $2.9 million, which is what they owed to Rosario.
The once hard-throwing hurler underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL in March 2020.
The Dodgers made their second move to acquire an infielder in as many days after reuniting with Enrique Hernandez in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. L.A. has clearly been looking to address needs amid the struggles of rookie second baseman Miguel Vargas - who the Dodgers sent down to Triple-A last week - and outfielder James Outman.
Rosario has played the outfield in the past but spent 88 games at short and two as a designated hitter this season. Hernandez has historically played all over but has primarily been a middle infielder and outfielder in 2023.