Yankees, White Sox Have 'Checked In On' Former Philadelphia Phillies Starter

The market could start heating up soon for one of the Philadelphia Phillies former starting pitchers.

There are still a few starting pitchers remaining on the free agent market despite the fact that the 2024 MLB season is just days away. 

Those names are headlined by Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, to include last year.

But another name that remains on the list is former Philadelphia Phillies starter Michael Lorenzen. 

The righty posted a 4.18 ERA last season that included a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals in August as well as an All-Star appearance. 

After Snell and Jordan Montgomery, Lorenzen is the best option on the market and he comes with a remarkably lower price tag than the top-two remaining aces.

But Lorenzen may not have to wait much longer, according to the New York Post, Lorenzen is drawing interest from the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox.

Both teams make sense for the former Phillies starter. The Yankees need some rotational help as they brace for the absence of Gerrit Cole for at least 1-2 months. 

The White Sox just traded away Dylan Cease after months of speculation that they could move their ace. They already have a depleted rotation so Lorenzen could get an excellent opportunity there to prove he is indeed a starter without the bright lights and pressure of New York. 

Lorenzen has reportedly rejected offers that are in the $5-7 million range, but perhaps one of these teams could pull-off a one-year, $10 million deal that could help Lorenzen establish his true value at the position after transitioning from the bullpen during the 2022 MLB season.