In preparation for the 2024 MLB season, the Texas Rangers are strengthening their pitching roster with the addition of Michael Lorenzen.
According to a report by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the reigning World Series champions have reached a one-year agreement with Lorenzen, valued at $4.5 million. However, the deal includes incentives amounting to $2.5 million, potentially escalating its total worth to $7 million.
Lorenzen’s arrival sparks speculation about the Rangers’ involvement in pursuing Jordan Montgomery. As one of the premier free agents remaining this offseason, Montgomery’s market hasn’t unfolded as expected. Notably, Blake Snell, the 2023 NL Cy Young recipient, recently inked a lucrative two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Having played a pivotal role in the Rangers’ postseason campaign last season following his midseason acquisition from the St. Louis Cardinals, Montgomery’s performance was noteworthy, boasting a 2.90 ERA across six playoff appearances spanning 31 innings.
Reports from Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network suggest Montgomery’s interest in returning to Texas. Despite other teams, including the Cardinals, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs, displaying varying degrees of interest, Montgomery’s next destination remains uncertain.
However, the Rangers’ signing of Lorenzen doesn’t necessarily rule out a potential return for Montgomery. Given Lorenzen’s modest salary and inconsistent track record, the Rangers may not rely solely on him to anchor the rotation throughout the season.
Although Lorenzen’s 2023 season featured a standout moment with a no-hitter while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, his overall performance yielded a 4.18 ERA across 153 innings in 29 appearances split between the Phillies and Detroit Tigers.
This acquisition provides manager Bruce Bochy with additional flexibility for the upcoming season. Lorenzen’s versatility allows him to fulfill various roles, whether as a starter or reliever, adapting to short or long stints as dictated by game situations.
With nine MLB seasons under his belt, Lorenzen brings a wealth of experience from his tenure with four different teams, maintaining a career ERA of 4.11 and a WHIP of 1.33 across 342 appearances.
