Inside The Royals

Royals $7 Million Former All-Star Listed As 'Buy-Low' Trade Candidate

Teams may show interest in the veteran right-hander.
Apr 1, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Royals logo on seats with complimentary flags for fans before the Opening Day game against the Texas Rangers Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Apr 1, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Royals logo on seats with complimentary flags for fans before the Opening Day game against the Texas Rangers Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

In this story:


The Kansas City Royals are watching their season fall apart right before their eyes. Entering play on Friday, they are 41-47 on the season.

The team is 13 games back in the American League Central and 4 1/2 back in the Wild Card race. As such, they may end up being sellers at this year's trade deadline.

There are plenty of pieces on the current roster that could be of interest to contending teams. One such piece is right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

He is on an expiring contract, and plenty of teams will need starting pitching help. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter listed Lorenzen as a buy-low trade candidate.

"Veteran Michael Lorenzen is no stranger to being dealt midseason, as he was on the move ahead of the 2023 and 2024 trade deadlines," Reuter wrote.

"Lorenzen's numbers this season don't jump off the screen, but he has been thrust into a playoff push before. He is capable of handling a variety of roles, from filling a spot in the rotation to multi-inning relief work to getting outs at the end of a game."

Lorenzen has struggled a bit this season, going 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA in 17 starts with Kansas City. However, he is a former All-Star and somebody who could easily plug a hole in a rotation.

Teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers could use more starting pitching, and Lorenzen could be a perfect fit thanks to all of their injuries. The right-hander earned his first All-Star nod back in 2023.

More MLB: Ex-Red Sox, Cubs 8-Year Veteran Makes Successful Debut In Royals Organization


Published
Curt Bishop
CURT BISHOP

Curt Bishop is a freelance sports writer who graduated from Maryville University of St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of Communication and currently writes as a contributor for various platforms covering Major League Baseball. Curt’s work includes covering trade and free agency predictions, as well as rumors and news.

Share on XFollow bishopcurtis5