After being part of free agent discussions earlier this week, former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Michael Lorenzen has reached a late-night agreement with the Texas Rangers.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and MLB on FOX reported that Lorenzen and the reigning World Series champions are finalizing a one-year contract valued at $4.5 million, pending a physical. The deal includes up to $2.5 million in incentives, potentially bringing the total to $7 million. The Rangers have not officially confirmed the signing yet.
The 32-year-old is expected to join the Rangers bullpen as a long reliever and provide depth for the rotation if needed. Roster Resource projects him to be the eighth reliever on the Rangers’ roster.
With Opening Day just a week away, the Rangers currently face a pitching staff without Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. The rotation is comprised of Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, and Cody Bradford, with limited depth beyond that, according to MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry.
Lorenzen’s free agency journey comes to an end after he reportedly sought a two-year, $20 million contract. However, like many other free agents this offseason, he had to settle for a shorter, less lucrative deal. Despite some interest from the New York Yankees following Gerrit Cole’s injury, Lorenzen’s market remained relatively quiet.
As Lorenzen enters his 10th MLB season, he aims to bounce back from a challenging stretch with the Phillies. After a strong start in Philadelphia, including a no-hitter, his performance declined, leading to an 8.01 ERA in his last nine appearances, whether as a starter or reliever.
Overall, Lorenzen finished the regular season with a 5.51 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run, giving up only two hits and two walks.
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