Lorenzen Signs with Defending Champs
RHP Michael Lorenzen Signs with Texas
Micheal Lorenzen, who threw the Phillies’ 14th franchise No-Hitter in 2023, is signing with the defending champion, Texas Rangers. On March 21, 2024, the Texas rangers agreed to a 1-year, $4.5 million deal with RHP Michael Lorenzen.
Throughout most of Spring Training ‘24, Lorenzen didn’t get any attention as there were better pitchers in free agency such as Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, & Aaron Nola. However, as Spring Training went underway, the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox started showing interest in the right-hander.
One issue with teams signing Lorenzen was that he was looking for a deal to be a starter, rather than a relief pitcher. In 2023, Lorenzen pitched for the Tigers & was later traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. Lorenzen was selected as an All-Star in 2023, the first time in his career. In 2023, Lorenzen had a 4.18 ERA and went 9 and 9. Over his 11 season career, Lorenzen has posted a 4.11 ERA while going 40 and 38 with a 1.32 WHIP.
Texas, the 2023 World Series Champions, have been looking for a starter with two of their starters, Max Scherzer & Jacob DeGrom being out with injuries until at least the All-Star break. Before the trade deadline, Texas traded for LHP Jordan Montgomery from the Cardinals. However, the postseason star became a free agent after the season and is asking for more money than the Rangers can afford with a deal to help bring Bally Sports out of bankruptcy.
With the Texas Rangers looking for back-to-back World Series Championships, adding Michael Lorenzen on a 1-year, $4.5 million deal to help add pitching depth will definitely help them get closer to their goal.
