Rumors: SF Giants 'pursued' Tigers RHP Michael Lorenzen in free agency

SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler told the team's broadcasters that the team attempted was "really interested" in Michael Lorenzen during free agency.

Marc Delucchi | Apr 16, 2023

Rumors: SF Giants 'pursued' Tigers RHP Michael Lorenzen in free agency /

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The SF Giants lit up Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in his first appearance of the 2023 season, scoring six runs against the righty in their 7-6 loss on Saturday. However, Lorenzen who has previously played for the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels over his eight-year MLB career, nearly was on the Giants roster this season, at least according to manager Gabe Kapler. During the game's broadcast, announcer Dave Flemming revealed that Kapler told him and fellow broadcaster Javier Lopez that the Giants had pursued Lorenzen during the offseason.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Lorenzen throws a pitch against the SF Giants. (2023) / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

"You and I were talking to Gabe Kapler before the game," Flemming said during the first inning of Saturday's broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area. "He said the Giants, 'we were really interested in Michael Lorenzen. We pursued him, tried to get him to sign with the Giants.' So he's a guy they really liked."

Lorenzen was a two-way star at Cal State Fullerton before he was drafted in the supplemental first round by the Reds in 2013. Developed as a pitcher, Lorenzen was unable to establish himself as a mainstay in Cincinnati's rotation but emerged as an excellent setup arm. From 2016-2021, Lorenzen recorded a 3.60 ERA in 268 appearances with 323 strikeouts in 360 innings pitched.

Looking to return to the rotation, Lorenzen signed a one-year deal with the Angels for 2022 and made 18 starts with Los Angeles. He posted a solid 4.24 ERA in 97.2 innings of work before he was sidelined by injury.

Back on the open market this offseason, Lorenzen ultimately inked a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Tigers. However, given his experience in the bullpen and as a starter, it's easy to see the Giants front office viewing him as an alternative to Ross Stripling, who has a similar swingman track record. Stripling ultimately signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Giants that includes a player option after the 2023 season.

The SF Giants have continuously taken a broad approach to their starting rotation under president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. Zaidi has often bet on the team's ability to help mid-tier pitchers take a step forward on short-term deals. With former Giants general manager Scott Harris now leading the Detroit Tigers baseball operations, it's no surprise to see both teams had their eye on Michael Lorenzen during the winter.

Published Apr 16, 2023

MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).