Veteran Righty Inks New Deal with St. Louis Cardinals

After starting his career in St. Louis, right-hander Lance Lynn is headed back to the Cardinals after signing a one-year deal.

The St. Louis Cardinals have gotten a jump start on their offseason hunt for starting pitching by signing Lance Lynn to a one-year guaranteed deal.

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN:

Right-hander Lance Lynn and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a one-year contract with a club option that guarantees around $10 million, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Lynn, 36, was drafted by Cardinals and returns, pending physical, as they rebuild rotation.

Right-hander Lance Lynn and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a one-year contract with a club option that guarantees around $10 million, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Lynn, 36, was drafted by Cardinals and returns, pending physical, as they rebuild rotation.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 20, 2023

When Aaron Nola signed his seven-year, $172 million deal on Sunday, that started to break the dam, and we could see more pitchers sign in the coming days as a result.

Additional reporting from Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that Lynn can earn $3 million in performance bonuses in 2023. He adds that the option for 2025 is $12 million.

Lynn started his career in St. Louis, pitching for six years there. He helped the Cardinals get to the World Series in 2011 and 2013, winning a ring in St. Louis in that 2011 season. He got to the playoffs five different times with the Cardinals.

From there, he went onto the Twins, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox and Dodgers.

He started the 2023 season with Chicago but went just 6-9 with a 6.47 ERA. He was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline and turned it around, going 7-2 with a 4.36. He helped Los Angeles get to the National League Division Series and win the National League West.

Lifetime, Lynn is a 136-95 pitcher with a 3.74 ERA. He is a two-time All-Star.

As for the Cardinals, they'll need reinforcements other than Lynn if they want to improve upon a last-place NL Central finish. They are reportedly the favorites to sign Sonny Gray as well.

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