Padres Lose Out on Free Agent Pitching Target to AL Contender
The San Diego Padres have missed out on another free agent starting pitcher target.
Right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen has agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Texas Rangers. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was first to report the agreement.
Lorenzen had been linked to the Padres, but with their recent addition of right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease, they were less likely to sign him.
However, they could have used the starting pitching depth, and Lorenzen at that price would have been a great option.
Lorenzen is coming off a 2023 season in which he made the All-Star team for the first time in his career with the Detroit Tigers.
He had a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts with the Tigers, before being shipped at the trade deadline to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lorenzen struggled in Philly, sporting a 5.51 ERA in 47.1 innings pitched, but he did throw a no-hitter in early August.
Lorenzen's market never materialized, so he was forced to sign a one-year deal with the hopes of re-entering the market next year and securing a larger big.
The Padres definitely could have used a fifth starter with his upside at that price, but instead, he'll head to Texas.
