Former Phillies Starting Pitcher Still Searching For Next Team in Free Agency

One of the pitchers on the Philadelphia Phillies last year is still trying to find his next team.

After the Philadelphia Phillies re-signed Aaron Nola to a long-term contract that likely keeps him with the team until he retires, they weren't out on the free agency market heavily pursuing other additions.

President of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, has repeatedly mentioned how he's comfortable with the roster as currently constructed, including the starting rotation.

Based on the performances from the past two years, that's hard to argue.

It's also one of the reasons why the Phillies haven't heavily pursued a reunion with Michael Lorenzen, whom they acquired at the trade deadline last season.

He earned his first All-Star selection during his time with the Detroit Tigers before getting shipped to Philadelphia. His tenure got off to an incredible start, throwing a no-hitter in his second appearance, before his well documented struggles to end the year began.

Still, Lorenzen is one of the best starting options on the market.

He's coming off his career-high in innings pitched with 153 and had an ERA+ of 105 during his second full season as a starting pitcher.

The right-hander is a prime candidate to be featured in the back end of a rotation, yet he is still on the open market searching for his next team in 2024.

At this point in the offseason, there aren't many teams with holes.

Everyone is competing in Spring Training games, evaluating who is on their current roster and might make the team for Opening Day.

Yet, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors thinks there are a few fits for the veteran pitcher out there.

"If payroll weren't an object, the Rays would join the Padres, Pirates, Red Sox, Giants and Orioles as the clearest fits for a solid, if unspectacular back-of-the-rotation arm like Lorenzen," he writes.

It will be interesting to see where he ultimately ends up.

Despite closing 2023 in a way that was disappointing, he's still a solid option for many teams out there.