Should the Red Sox sign the one-time All-Star pitcher?
There are some quality free agents still out there although Opening Day quickly is approaching.
Top-tier pitchers like Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell still are available but there also are other mid-tier hurlers out there. Michael Lorenzen, Noah Syndergaard, and Mike Clevinger still are looking for their next opportunities.
Lorenzen might be the most interesting of the three mid-tier options. He earned his first All-Star nod last season and was impressive with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
It’s unclear where he will end up landing, but he reportedly is looking for a two-year deal worth around $20 million, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
“Free-agent right-handed Michael Lorenzen continues to see a two-year deal, according to sources briefed on his intentions,” Rosenthal said. “Lorenzen, 32, earned $9.25 million last season, including $750,000 in incentives. An increase in his average annual value on a two-year deal would put him in the range of a $20 million guarantee.”
The Boston Red Sox still are looking for help for the rotation and have been linked to a handful of arms with Montgomery being the most prominent. Lorenzen has been mentioned as an option for the Red Sox as well.
Boston has had a weird offseason, to say the least. The Red Sox have plenty of money to spend but are operating as if they are a small-market club. Boston already has cut payroll and has plenty of wiggle room but don’t seem like it wants to spend on anyone.
A short-term deal with Lorenzen could make a lot of sense and could be in the club’s range, but a deal likely won’t happen until Montgomery decides his next club first.