Michael Lorenzen Landing Spots: 3 potential destinations for veteran pitcher looking to earn two-way status in 2025
All of a sudden, Michael Lorenzen might have become one of the most interesting players to monitor in free agency. Although he has been a solid pitcher throughout his career, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported on Thursday that Lorenzen is looking to earn two-way player status in 2025, which could help his value skyrocket.
Last season, Michael Lorenzen split time between the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, posting a 7-6 record with a 3.31 ERA and 97 strikeouts. While he is a solid pitcher when he is healthy, if he were able to get two-way player status, he would not count against a team's 13-pitcher limit on rosters, making him an intriguing weapon.
It's likely that Lorenzen was going to have no issue finding a new contract. However, with the new strategy of becoming a two-way player, he could have expanded his market.
Here's a closer look at 3 potential landing spots for Michael Lorenzen in free agency
#1, Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are one of the teams that could look to help Michael Lorenzen reach two-way status. The veteran pitcher will need to pitch 20 innings and play 20 games as a position player. Luckily for the Marlins, they could use help on both sides of the ball, which could benefit Lorenzen's goal. This could also help the Marlins fuel their rebuild by trading Lorenzen to a contender later in the year.
#2, Chicago White Sox
Another club mentioned as a potential landing spot for Michael Lorenzen are the Chicago White Sox. Similar to the Marlins, the White Sox could help Lorenzen achieve two-way status and flip him in a trade later in the year. The White Sox are coming off the worst season in MLB history and are not expected to be much better in 2025. Lorenzen could be an invaluable trade chip for the lowly White Sox.
#3, The Athletics
The Athletics could be an intriguing landing spot for Michael Lorenzen not only because of the potential trade chip maneuver mentioned above but also because he could actually help improve the team. Lorenzen has shown flashes of brilliance on the mound, including a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023.
It remains to be seen how competitive the A's will be in 2025. However, after bringing in veterans like Luis Severino, the team could bring in Michael Lorenzen to help bolster their rotation and bullpen.