Will the New York Mets add another pitcher to their roster? Initial rumors suggested that the Mets would rely on internal options following Kodai Senga’s injury. However, as time has passed, there’s been increasing talk about the team potentially making a more significant move to bolster their starting pitching depth.
Enter Michael Lorenzen, the latest name swirling in Mets rumors. While bigger names like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery might be easily dismissed due to their higher price tags, Lorenzen presents a more budget-friendly option
Lorenzen, who has been an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers and had notable starts for the Philadelphia Phillies, including a no-hitter in his second game after a strong debut, hasn’t seen much demand in the market recently, possibly due to his inconsistent performance since August 9 of last season. However, this could work in the Mets’ favor, potentially leading him to be available at a lower cost.
While the Mets shouldn’t break the bank for Lorenzen, offering him a contract somewhere between that of an average reliever and a starter with incentives for innings pitched on a second year could be reasonable. Utilizing him similarly to how the Milwaukee Brewers used Adrian Houser last year could be an effective strategy, considering Lorenzen’s experience both as a reliever and a starter.
Lorenzen briefly experimented with being a two-way player in 2019, but his performance as a batter was lackluster. Thus, he’s unlikely to have a similar role with the Mets. Instead, he could compete for the fifth starter spot initially and transition to a bullpen role as needed, particularly if a second year is included in his contract based on incentives or guarantees.
Signing Lorenzen, or any free agent at this stage, raises questions about whether he’s an upgrade over existing options. While the bullpen isn’t lacking depth, injuries could change that, and using a minor league option on Shintaro Fujinami could create room for Lorenzen on the roster.
Ideally, the Mets could secure Lorenzen on a minor league or split contract to provide much-needed depth. However, it’s uncertain whether he would accept such a deal. Ultimately, the conclusion to these Mets rumors may see Lorenzen signing with another team or potentially joining the Mets if injuries or other circumstances create the need for additional pitching depth.
