MICHAEL LORENZEN, SP
Position: SP B/T: R/R
Age: 32 (01/04/1992)
2023 Traditional Stats: 29 G, 25 GS, 153 IP, 9-9, 4.18 ERA, 1.209 WHIP, 111 SO, 47 BB
2023 Advanced Stats: 105 ERA+, 17.8% SO%, 7.5% BB%, 4.55 xERA, 4.46 FIP, 4.68 xFIP, 1.7 fWAR, 2.0 bWAR
RUNDOWN
Michael Lorenzen was primarily a relief pitcher throughout his seven big league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. He was utilized as a starter from time to time, but he never managed to become a key part of the rotation. That would change for the 32-year-old when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels ahead of the 2022 season, however, as all 18 of his appearances that year came as a starter. Lorenzen pitched to a 4.24 ERA in 97 2/3 innings with Los Angeles, which proved to be a major stepping stone for Lorenzen as the Detroit Tigers also brought him in to be a member of their rotation the following season.
He pitched well enough in the first half of 2023 to earn his first All-Star appearance as Detroit’s lone representative, recording a 4.03 ERA across 87 innings. As a result, he garnered interest from a multitude of teams leading up to the trade deadline and was ultimately shipped to the Philadelphia Phillies to help strengthen the backend of their rotation.
Lorenzen had a standout moment early during his tenure with the Phillies when he threw a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals in his second start with the club, but it would all go downhill from there. He went on to allow three runs or more in each of his next six starts and finished the year in the bullpen, making a total of two appearances in the team’s run to the NLCS. He threw a career-high 153 innings in 2023, which likely played a role in his lack of effectiveness throughout September and October.
CONTRACT
The Detroit Tigers signed Lorenzen to a one-year, $8.5 million deal last offseason. I could have seen him receiving a multi-year deal if he had signed at an earlier point in free agency, but that never came to fruition. At this point, another one-year deal feels inevitable for the pitcher with spring training in full swing. According to Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic, the Mets have checked in with Lorenzen, so there is some level of interest. If the two sides are able to agree on terms, I could see him getting a one-year deal in the range of $9.5 million.
RECOMMENDATION
The New York Mets appeared to be done adding to their starting rotation, but the injury to Kodai Senga complicates things. His return appears to be a ways away, which leaves the team with a big hole to fill. Even if the Mets decide that they do not want to make a big splash by adding one of Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery this late into the offseason, other viable options remain on the free agent market. Lorenzen, who is comfortable as a starter and a reliever, fits the bill as a potential target for the club and would add much-needed depth to the pitching staff. With that taken into consideration, the Mets should look to sign Lorenzen.
