The New York Yankees need to find a new starting pitcher because their current pitcher Gerrit Cole will be unable to play for one to two months. reporter Jon Heyman from the New York Post stated this.The team tried to get a player named Dylan Cease, as said by Bob Nightengale from USA TODAY. However, he ended up being traded to the San Diego Padres instead.With the season about to start, the Yankees require starting pitchers and have demonstrated interest in Michael Lorenzen, as mentioned by Heyman. The Yankees have been interested in acquiring starting pitchers even before Cole got injured. They made an offer to Blake Snell and talked to him months later, according to Heyman during an appearance on MLB Network on March 6.The current situation of the Yankees' starting pitchers it will be very hard for the Yankees to find a replacement for Cole, who might be impossible to replace. Cole's achievement of a 15-4 record and 209.0 innings pitched was the highest in the American League..
The Yankees' group of starting pitchers without Cole consists of Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt. The fifth spot may be given to a player from within the team, such as Cody Poteet, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Stroman was signed by the Yankees to a two-year, $37 million contract in free agency. He had an average performance in his 25 starts while playing for the Chicago Cubs.
Rodón, Cortes, and Schmidt had an average performance in their 58 total starts in 2023. Rodón and Cortes were injured during 2023, and neither had 15 starts. Lorenzen made 18 starts for the Tigers and 7 starts for the Phillies. He had two great starts at the beginning of his time with the Phillies, but then his performance dropped, and he started playing in relief. In the last three regular season relief games, he did not let the other team score. Lorenzen won 9 games and lost 9 in 2023 and could serve as a starter in the middle or back end of the rotation. The expected contract for Lorenzen as a free agent is three years for $27 million, according to Spotrac. Although top free agents like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are still available, it is highly unlikely that the Yankees will sign them, according to ESPN's Buster Olney..
The Chicago White Sox are also showing interest in Lorenzen, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
The White Sox traded Dylan Cease and will need another starting pitcher. Additionally, they are moving starter Michael Kopech to the bullpen, according to Nightengale. 2.53 ERA, Lorenzen could provide valuable innings for the Yankees. Since Cole will only miss a month or two rather than the entire season, signing a player like Lorenzen makes more sense than signing someone like Snell or Montgomery.
The news about the New York Yankees expressing interest in signing the All-Star starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen is from Jon Heyman at the New York Post. according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
The Yankees signed Stroman to a two-year, $37 million contract in free agency. Stroman is a candidate to start on opening day with Cole injured. He pitched to a 3.95 ERA across his 25 starts as a member of the Chicago Cubs.
Rodón, Cortes and Schmidt combined for a 5.48 ERA across their combined 58 starts in 2023. Rodón and Cortes spent time on the injured list in 2023 and neither man made 15 starts.
Lorenzen made 18 starts with the Tigers with a 3.58 ERA. After he was traded he made 7 starts for the Phillies. His first two starts were phenomenal. In his first start, he pitched 8.0 innings and allowed just two runs. His second start was a complete game no-hitter against the Washington Nationals.
Lorenzen would make five more starts, with a 7.96 ERA, before being used in a relief role. His final three relief outings of the regular season were scoreless. Lorenzen was 9-9 in 2023 and could serve as a starter in the middle or back of the rotation.
Lorenzen’s Free Agent Market
Lorenzen is projected to earn a three-year $27 million contract in free agency, according to Spotrac. While free agents like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are still available, their price makes it “extremely unlikely” the Yankees sign them, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
The Chicago White Sox are also “engaged” with Lorenzen, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. The White Sox traded Dylan Cease to the Padres on March 13 and will need another arm in the rotation. In a move even furthering the need, the club is also moving starter Michael Kopech to the bullpen, according to Nightengale.
Lorenzen can provide valuable innings for the Yankees. With Cole slated to miss only a month or two, as opposed to the whole season, a signing like Lorenzen makes more sense than the likes of Snell and Montgomery.
