Angels Miss Out on Free Agent Target to AL West Rival

One of the best available free-agent pitchers lands with the reigning champions.

The Los Angeles Angels lost out on yet another top-level free-agent pitcher. 

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that one-time All-Star Michael Lorenzen has agreed to sign with the Texas Rangers. 

Free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen in agreement with Rangers on one-year, $4.5M contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic. Deal includes $2.5M in incentives, maxes out at $7M.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 21, 2024

Lorenzen's deal is for one year and worth $4.5 million. The deal includes $2.5 million in incentives, maxing out at $7 million. Lorenzen, alongside Jordan Montgomery, was among the best pitchers available on the market. 

The Halos failed to land the Anaheim native who will bolster the Rangers rotation instead.

The right-handed pitcher had the best season of his career in the first half of 2023 — earning an All-Star nod with the Detroit Tigers — and will look for an even better 2024 season with the defending champions. 

While he struggled once he moved to Philadelphia to join the Phillies, he did show major flashes, including a no-hitter in early August.

Overall on the season, Lorenzen had a 4.18 ERA in 29 appearances and 25 starts. He had a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts with Detroit.

Lorenzen now joins the reigning champions on a very team-friendly deal.

While he would have been one of the top starters in Anaheim, he'll shore up an injured rotation in Texas as they await the return of their stars.

The rich just got richer in the AL West.