The Angels announced the signing of right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year contract on Tuesday. It’s reportedly a $6.75MM pact for the CAA Sports client.
After already signing Noah Syndergaard, the Angels will add another notable pitcher to their rotation on a one-year contract, as Lorenzen will reportedly function as a starting pitcher. Lorenzen went into free agency hoping to get an opportunity to again work as a starter, following six years of almost exclusively being used as a reliever out of the Reds bullpen. Cincinnati was open to stretching Lorenzen out last spring, before Lorenzen was sidelined with a shoulder strain that put him on the injured list for the entire first half of the season.
Lorenzen (who turns 30 in January) indicated that he was open to signing a shorter-term contract in order to prove himself in a rotation, and thus set himself up for a more lucrative free agent deal next winter when he can market himself as a full-fledged starting pitcher. For an Angels team that needs starting pitching and is generally wary of long-term commitments to starters, Lorenzen represented a solid fit, and since Lorenzen is also an Anaheim native, he’ll now get to start this new chapter of his career in his hometown.
Anaheim is also a particularly interesting landing spot for considering the presence of Shohei Ohtani, and Lorenzen’s own status as a two-way player. In addition to working out of the Reds’ bullpen, Lorenzen also appeared in 34 games as an outfielder, with most (29) of those appearances coming during the 2019 season. Lorezen has hit .233/.282/.429 over his 147 career plate appearances, which is well above average for a pitcher, if unspectacular for a position player.
It is easy to imagine a scenario where Lorenzen continues to get regular work in the rotation and in the outfield, since the Angels know better than any team now to manage a two-way player. The Halos have already adjusted their rotation to a six-man unit to accommodate Ohtani, and that rotation now consists of Ohtani, Lorenzen, Syndergaard, Jose Suarez, Patrick Sandoval, and one of Reid Detmers or Jaime Barria.
Considering how the Angels have been linked to so many notables on the free agent and trade markets, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another pitcher acquired, in order to add even more depth to this group. It remains to be seen, of course, whether Lorenzen can actually thrive as a starter, and Syndergaard is only returning to regular action after Tommy John surgery caused him to miss miss virtually all of the 2020-21 seasons.
If Lorenzen doesn’t work out as a starting pitcher, he can always fall back on relief pitching, which would also provide a boost for the Angels. There is a big hole at the back of the bullpen since closer Raisel Iglesias may depart in free agency, which is a little ironic considering how Lorenzen spent much of his time in Cincinnati working as Iglesias’ setup man. Lorenzen posted a 3.48 ERA over 331 innings from 2016-2020, also delivering a 5.59 ERA over 29 frames in 2021, though that performance is hard to gauge given all of Lorenzen’s injury problems.
Lorenzen didn’t fit the usual profile for a reliever, as he delivered below-average strikeout rates and middling walk rates but relied on a lot of soft contact and strong grounder rates to get outs. Between this skillset and a very good spin rate on his fastball, there is some sense that Lorenzen can translate well to rotation work. If the experiment doesn’t pan out, Lorenzen can pick up where he left off in the pen, and might well still score a solid multi-year contract next winter if he pitches to his usual standard as a reliever.
Robert Murray of FanSided first reported the Angels were in agreement with Lorenzen on a one-year deal worth around $7MM, and reported Lorenz’s role as a starter. Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reported the guarantee was $6.75MM.
Dang I really wanted him on the Giants. That’s an affordable price too
I totally had him pegged as a future Giant. But oh well. In Farhan we trust.
I really thought he’d want to go to the Giants after seeing what the Reds rotation was capable of doing for SF last season.
Exciting to maybe see him as a 2 way player along with Ohtani. Looks like a new generation of baseball is coming…
I hope so. 2-way players are my favorite type of player to watch in MLB. Ohtani has really been great for the sport. No matter what happens in the next CBA they have to make the rules in both leagues equal. They should probably go universal DH but if they don’t they can’t allow the AL to have one and the NL not to. I also think teams should be able to use one DH per game but it can be for any player. If a team has a great hitting pitcher they should be able to DH for the catcher instead so the pitcher can still hit. Mike Hampton only pitched in the NL his entire career. One season he hit .330 with 7 home runs. That’s 7 home runs even though he missed 80% of the games. He was on pace to be a .330 hitter with 35 home runs but never got the chance because he only played for NL teams so he couldn’t hit unless it was days he pitched. Make it one league with one set of rules. Let them all play each other equally. They have to compete for a World Series so they should have the same rules during the regular season. The rule that forces DH’s to only hit for pitchers really hurts the ability for new 2-way players to form. MLB needs as many 2-way players as it can get. I hate almost all of the new rule changes but that is one I could really get behind. I never understood the concept of only allowing teams to DH for one specific position. If the DH is going to exist every team should get one and they should all be able to use it however they see fit. That is fair.
Mike Hampton was a good hitting pitcher, but his stats that year were inflated by playing in pre-humidor Coors Field.
Lol you’re kidding right? ⚾️
Not kidding. Hampton’s SLG% the two years he was in Coors were easily the two highest of his career. 10 HRs in two years at Coors vs 6 in fourteen years in other stadiums.
Guy should have used Mike Hampton last year with Houston or at least 2002 where he hit just as good or better away from coors. But if he wanted to hit more he could have attempted to catch on with a team as a dh or told teams prior to draft he was only interested in being a hitter.
Dont know much about the guy figures cheap skate Arte hear we go again one year contract if you think hes got promise here today gone tomorrow ive been a fane since the leon wagner albe person days Wrigley field days so now he decides to spend some money and I’ve moved out of state and have to get expensive cable to watch go figure
How is Moreno a cheapskate? His payroll is near the top of the sport each year? Lorenzen would be a 5th or sixth starter, who can even play the outfield. If he can play the outfield they can trade Adell for Luis Castillo, who is only making $12MM a year, and has two more years left of control. Or they could trade him to Florida for Max Meyer as has been rumored– and then we’d have Meyer, Bachman and Detmers for the future– and that would be in a year or two..
He’s cheap when it comes to good pitching. He outbid himself when signing Hamilton and Rendon, but won’t offer the biggest deal to a good FA pitcher. Didn’t spend the money on Scherzer the first time, didn’t do it for Cole, didn’t do it for Bauer. You could try to argue Colon was a big deal, but he won a Cy Young with the Angels, so it kinda worked out.
Thank hod he didn’t for Bauer. He was 2nd place on Cole. Lighten up
He’s not cheap. You can say he did not prioritize his money correctly, but he’s spent money– a lot of money. We got Rendon after Moreno was rejected by Cole. They need to have a plan and stick to it, but this is a good signing and a good value. Lorenzen is an upgrade at the back end of the rotation, or he can be a bullpen long man, and be a replacement for Ohtani in games he pitches– he can hit. And he can also be an outfielder and pinch hitter. His problem has been staying on the field. But for only $7MM and one year it’s a good gamble. Now go get either Robbie Ray or Stroman, and try to trade for Castillo– and that’s what I believe they’re attempting to do.
In hod we trust
Sure he spends money poor Quality and does it over and over his fans me deserve Better for our money
this guy is not a 2 way player. watched his entire career. can he hit, sure. but to use him instead of a regular hitter…. no way
The Angels put an ad in the paper that read……
Can you use $7M dollars?
Do you dream of being a starter in MLB?
Have you started a game in the past 7 years? Stats not important.
Sadly, Michael Lorenzen checks all these boxes. The Angels are now a make-a-wish foundation for starting pitchers.
I am an Angels fan, and I am jealous that you came up with that MAKE-A-WISH line instead of me.
The Astros should now be scared….
LMAO!!!!
Kirkland Signature Ohtani
Great Value Ohtani
Sam’s Choice Ohtani
Up and Up Ohtani?
Great value ohtani? This man is getting payed more!
Noah, you’re so right!
Flea market Ohtani
I hope the return policy is the same too
Wish.com Ohtani
What @ candymaldonado;
LOL (Kirkland Signature Ohtani)
B I N G O
What Ohtani did is open a new way of utilizing players that will become as common as utility fielders in the coming 5-10 years. I hope Madden uses him in the field as well.
The 3 batter rule modifies what he can do pitching. But it would be possible to have him pitch, put him in the field for an inning due to matchups in the opponents batting order where lets say a LH Angel reliever would be better off being brought in the game, than bring Lorenzen back to pitch the next inning.
Or let Ohtani pitch the first six innings, stick him in the outfield while Lorenzen pitches the seventh and eighth, and then bring Ohtani back to the mound in the ninth to close out his own win.
Q: Can a pitcher get credit for a win and a save in the same game? I’m guessing it’s not allowed.
It would kinda be like that song, “I Am My Own Grandpa.”
Cey Hey: I loved that song, especially when Grandpa Jones (of Hee Haw fame for you young’uns out there) sang it.
There is the small matter of the pitcher’s arm going cold while playing OF for a couple innings, but carry on.
Lorenzen could also come into pitch in relief and bat when Ohtani comes out of the game. We lose the dh when Ohtani pitches and hits.
The rumor is they are adding him to the rotation which is WILD as hell considering he hasnt started since 2015
he’s a starter at heart, has wanted to start again for years. started a few games for the reds in 2020 and 2019. It’s the reason he went to a starter short team. Reds just had too many starters and he got hurt at the worst possible times.
Madden managed the Rays for years. He was the one that utilized Ben Zobrist in creative ways to help the team win. I hope he does that with Lorenzen.
Madden, as in John? Does that mean a Lorenzen is a starter stuffed into a reliever that’s stuffed into an outfielder?
Staroutfieliever!
We should just anoint Lorenzen the nickname Turducken right now.
Ben Zobrist was a uility clutch hitting focused infielder, Lorizion is a pitcher who can hit 230, I don’t see any resemblance, you pulled Zobrist out of left field on this one, literally.
If you want to be true two way player ( in the baseball sense of course ) who better to learn from.
The stove is hot tonight!
Before we get too excited, let’s realize the Angels have “addressed” their pitching staff by signing three guys who pitched 87 innings last year. This hardly solves the problem.
4 wins 9 losses. 5.50 ERA. 2021
Great pick up will be a great addition to the blowpen.
He might even set up for Rasiel Iglesias once they sign him.
I’m with you. Unless they see something in his pre-2020 numbers. 80+ IP for a RP/oft SP, mostly a 9.0 k/9. With limited resources seems like a waste of $7 mil. Although he did go to HS and college 15 minutes from the stadium, respectively.
As a SP. angels goin angel. *audible laughing*
Ohtani 2.0
Huh? The Rangers get Gray and this is our answer?
I don’t get it.
This is not their answer. It’s simply a piece to add to the pen. Angels already added that norse god pitcher.
Looking like Cash is going to just sit it out til the lockout or whatever. Tough seeing all these other teams being so active & fortifying their rosters.
It is what it is, I guess.
But what it is, is also not much fun.
It’s a bit interesting that a number of the truly big teams — Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox — have been muted in their moves so far. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. They’ll dominate the headlines post lockout either via trades or free-agent signings once they assess the landscape and the new CBA rules.
Good point.
It’s not just us, is it? I’m generally pretty patient too. Long time until opening day, man. But…well, we really haven’t had much to talk about. Lots of movement early this year. But, so far, Marte is really the only guy I feel like we “missed out on” or whatever.
Cash did offer Verlander a contract. So obviously, there’s some money he can spend. Ah, well. Giants got a win anyway.
Ducky, this will be Cash’s saving grace, or his demise imho. The reason? If he doesn’t navigate this offseason correctly, regardless whether he gets Seager or Correa or (please no) Simmons, my beloved Yankees will continue to trend downward.
Don’t get me wrong, Seager improves the team, but the other teams are, as Boonie-bear put it, “closing the gap” on us in the offseason too.
I am thankful the Rangers saved us from making the Semien mistake though. I was nervous about that one.
Could be these teams believe the tax level will drop below 200 million while a minimum spending budget is set around 100 million. The teams spending at the moment have plenty of space.
I don’t think your are correct. He wanted a chance to start. He would not have signed with a team that was not going to give him that chance.
The team is not going to promise that during negotiations unless the promise is simply one of consideration. Lorenzen first needs to show he is a capable starter, and it’s been awhile since he was able to do so. He is a depth piece/swing man for the BP at present.
Geo, They can promise an opportunity. Read the link. He wants to be a starter.
If they sign another starter and 2 more RPs who are likely to be good, fine. But based on last year, I’m not optimistic.
The Angels saved slots for Quintana, Claudio and Guerra and that is why those signings were so bad. If they are saving a slot for this guy, it’s a horrible signing. If not, then fine, no big deal.
Understood. There is also a wide gulf between “opportunity to be in the rotation” (something earned) and “he will be in the rotation” (which is an unsubstantiated statement from a Twitter account, and which has so many wound up).
I would like nothing better than for Lorenzen to have a successful season back in OC and be a serviceable #5 or #6. But Spring Training will dictate a lot of that. In the meantime, it is foolish to assume this is all the team intends to do, or that Lorenzen is seen as a lock for the rotation.
Geo, if he’s competing for the sixth spot against Barria, Detmers, and Cannning, then fine. But why would he sign against such odds?
The Angels need another starter, they best not be keeping the 5th spot open for him.
And they still need two more RPs who are likely to be successful. Lorenzen is a coin flip at best. They need pitchers who are likely to be successful not possibly be successful.
This signing looks very like those horrible signings of 2021.
Article clearly stated the Angels are going to use him as a starting pitcher. Different GM same old Angels
Angels sign Stroman
THIS needs to happen! And/or the Castillo trade
Can’t see them getting Castillo. Who to give up? 5 more years of Adell or Marsh for 2 of Castillo? No. Bachman or Detmers? No. One (likely Detmers) will permanently replace Thor in 2023. They don’t have much else to give up for a no. 2 starter in this market. And CIN wants a ready-made piece in return.
Gotta give to get.
What is Adell/Marsh is doing the next 5yrs?
WHO KNOWS?! When does that hyped up player we keep hearing about show up and start producing at a high level? 2022? 2023?
If you have Sandoval, Suarez, Detmers, Canning, Bachman, etc. up and coming in 2022/23/24 there is flexibility to trade a MLB ready-almost MLB ready pitcher for veteran leading SP.
Does it create another hole at OF? Yes.
However for 2022 they have Upton/Trout/(Marsh/Adell) so technically could move one OF and worry about 4th OF later in a separate deal or fill Upton’s spot long term next year.
Affordable OF’s are easy to come by…see Braves 2021.
To answer you question, Who to give up…Adell/Canning? maybe add a third lower prospect? Maybe make it a CASTILLO+1 for 3 trade?
Many possibilities.
Adams, canning, Upton, and Jeremiah Jackson for Castillo.
We also have decent triple A players like Matt Thasis, Rengifo and Ward.
I believe can make a trade.
We need to keep Adell and Marsh in the outfield with Trout.
The Reds have no use for Upton, nor do they want that $28m contract, they probably don’t want him if the Angels paid $20m of that 28m.
If the Angels can acquire Castillo without including Adell/Marsh/Detmers that’s a win for Perry.
It’s possible that Lorenzen also playing outfield helps free-up the Angels to trade Adell for Castillo. And I’m sure Canning goes along with him, and one of our shortstop prospects– we have a ton of very good athletes at that position and can afford to give up any one of them. And maybe one of the relievers we just drafted that would be a college arm. that would be four for one and real quality for the Reds. Adell, plus a major league ready arm in Canning, and another bullpen arm ready or close to it, and a shortstop– K. Paris.
Once again: Upton has full NTC. He signed his extension because he wanted to play close to wife/kids in PHX. He would not approve any trade to CIN for that reason alone and there is nothing vesting in his contract to use as incentive to waive the NTC. He’s either playing for the Angels or he’s going to be waived. There is no trade of Upton, now or during next season.
In addition, Canning is coming off IL in 2021 season for back issues, which means he is at best #2 player offered in trade. #1 needs to be a player who can step into Opening Day lineup, which means Marsh or Adell would be the #1 player offered in the trade (Adams and Jackson are still years away).
I think Angels can get Sonny Gray from Reds more easily than Castillo.
I closed this out sooner than I planned—Gray is owed $10M in 2022 with team option for $12M in 2023. Castillo will be in arbitration, but making less than that next two years. Trading Gray clears more payroll off the Reds’ books (which is their apparent ambition), and shouldn’t require as high a price as Castillo.
Agree!
Win now and trade Adell and Barria for Castillo . Likely would cost more. I believe signing Suzuki gives the team outfield surplus to trade from.
Angels sign Iglesias
The Angels are back baby!
Angels sign Scherzer
The Angels really know how to ratchet up the excitement. I hope the ticket office is bringing in extra staff tomorrow morning.
Big Arm that’s versatile.Kid wants to stretch out as a starter.
LMAO.
Mike, why are you laughing? He does want to be a starter. Why would sign with a team that wasn’t going to give him that chance?
If they hold a spot for him in the rotation, this is a terrible move.
He’s probably a co-6th starter. It’s a spot that will have limited or skipped starts due to off days etc. Used like C. Rodriguez perhaps.
If he’s ineffective as a starter they can just keep him in the pen or release him.
Sunday belongs to Major League Baseball.
The NFL and Gawd can battle it out for second place.
Cey Hey…Always the best takes…cheers brother!
Found Cey Hey’s burner account
LOL WUT? Massive overpay
This one is a bit of a head scratcher. Tepera is still out there and can be had for the same price. I don’t see $7M of value here. A WHIP near 1.4 and ERA over 5.last year.
I guess the Angels are just hopeful that getting him out GABP and return home will do him some good since he was born in Anaheim and went to school at Fullerton, but I don’t see the value here.
I’m with you. My only caveat is that right now Minasian should be given the benefit of the doubt unless he proves otherwise. He helped build those ATL pens. He/they know the market and the data. I’m not liking this, mostly bc that $7 mil is valuable, but I’ll concede they’re in a position to know a lot more than me tonight.
After last season, Minsian does not deserve the benefit of the doubt. His pitching staff moves were imbecilic. He doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt. Everyone should have doubt.
Your comments about Perry are really out of line and way over the top. He allowed Ohtani to pitch regularly– that was a management decision. He drafted 20 pitchers and in the process picked up a bunch of quality arms that will transform their system. He was shopping at the bottom of the barrel because that was the budget last year. You think Quintana was his first choice? And he made the deal for Cobb that was a steal. He rebuilt the entire bullpen and traded for Iglesias. Your obsession with fill-ins for the bullpen is not fair. If he had the opportunity to sign better he would have. This is another year. You should also be aware that he played a very large role in drafting the talent accumulated by the Braves. Give the man a chance– he took over a mess only one-year ago.
They are perfectly in line. He screwed up big time last year, and if the plan is to hold a rotation spot for Lorenzen, then he screwed up again.
That’s the same mistake he made last year with Quintana, Guerra and Claudio. These spots have value.
Hey guy, all the pitchers you just mentioned were fill-ins. They were not his choices because he thought they were great. Claudio was a whopping $1MM. Guerra was a serviceable arm that was cheap. And Quintana he missed on, so what? Did he miss on Iglesias? Cobb? Did he draft all pitchers? The Giants wanted Quintana– right? And he just signed a deal with Pittsburgh– so teams value him even after the poor season he had. What don’t you understand about the fact Minnassian had almost no money to work with and had to fill an entire bullpen less one player, and fill out a rotation– in a year we all knew we were not ready to win? Please stop manufacturing rage, it’s beneath you and makes you sound petty. I read your comments and you’re smarter than this, come on? This signing is for the back end of the rotation, and possibly even the bullpen. It’s an upgrade to what we have.
H11F – you’re right on the money about Perry and this signing.
Carllafong you are spot-on! Couldn’t have said it any better.
Carllafong, while we don’t know the details of any negotiations, I have to think Perry did have the opportunity to sign better bullpen pieces. Last year’s free-agent market was solid for middle relievers. After trading for Iglesias, Perry signed Claudio and that was it (except for depth pieces like Slegers) until the last few days of spring training, when he woke up and realized he had no bullpen and added Cishek and Watson. The failure to add a couple of solid guys after he signed C.audio was puzzling. The only other name I remember the Angels being linked to was Soria, who chose Arizona for the opportunity to close, which I get, but Perry didn’t seem to go after anyone else who was actually good.
CFong, you are missing the point. It’s an upgrade of what we have, it’s not an upgrade of who we should be adding. As a hitter, the odds of Lorenzen being valuable are nil. As a starter they are slim. as an RP, they are at best a coin flip.
It’s not the kind of player you add until you know what kind of ball club you have.
It’s the same mistake as last year and I’m still shocked people don’t understand why last year was a mistake?
I’ve been trying to explain for a year why last year was a mistake. People saw the train wreck, and they still don’t get it.
Gotta disagree Halo11. Minasian’s performance with building a pitching staff is not defined by the Angels in 2021, it’s defined by the world champion Braves in 2021. This is the year he will prove his ability with the Angels.
That said, this does look like the typical bounce-back candidate that we always give one year contracts to just to see if we might strike gold. It hasn’t worked out for us at all. But I think this guy has more upside than the past mistakes. This can’t be the end though.
It’s not defined by 2021, but 2021 was beyond stupid. Why would a competent GM make such obvious mistakes?
This seems like another really bad move. We will see what follows.
Halo11 – “After last season, Minsian does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.”
That’s your comment that I was referring to. I think 2021 was a shining success for Minasian based on the Braves. That holds way more weight for Minasian than the Angels in 2021. I believe Moreno was the issue. Again, this year will be his year to prove himself as long as Moreno gets out of the way, which he seems to have done a little.
Moreno is likely not the bullpen issue. I never blame a GM or owner for not making huge long term free agent pitching investments.
I do blame a GM for not building a bullpen. Especially last year when so many RPs were available. After Claudio and Guerra, he doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt. He doesn’t deserve to be tarred and feathered, but he does not deserve a vote of confidence either.
I wanted the Mets to sign Lorenzen but 7 million is an overpay for this guy. I still see him as a reliever + a defensive replacement for the 9th inning. Maybe have him pitch the 8th and defend in the 9th. I think 3 million would of been fair for a guy coming off mediocre seasons + injury prone
Give him some credit. He can hurt a team in a variety of ways.
I’m not sure where you’re getting $7MM is n overpay? That really is at the bottom of the pay-scale for journeyman pitchers with his upside, and his hitting and fielding ability.
The overpay is the guaranteed roster spot for a pitcher who hasn’t been good in a couple of years. I fear they are going to give him an opportunity to start. Why else would he sign here?
This is the Quintana signing. Quintana wasn’t the problem, it was holding a spot open to give him a chance.
If the Angels get a quality starter and 2 more BP guys who are likely to be good, fine. But if last year is any indication, they won’t. And that’s why this is a bad signing.
Just saw on twitter. Max Scherzer is headed to the Metz
twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/14651613128881397…
Nice catch. Huge momentum being reported elsewhere too.
And “In addition, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports the Los Angeles Dodgers are “pessimistic” about their chances of retaining the three-time Cy Young winner.”
Well, the Dodgers can afford to pay him and should– but they already are stuck on another $40MM pitching deal for Bauer.
Maybe. MLB has yet to hand out a suspension based on its investigation, which means Dodgers wouldn’t be paying Bauer while he serves Manfred’s suspension.
Bauer is looking at one, possibly two, civil suits, which will require him to be away from the team to appear in court ( one possible suit would be in Ohio). Dodgers are quiet for legal reasons while MLB investigation is ongoing, but team may seek to void the remainder of the deal—it depends upon how much support MLBPA will provide Bauer once details from investigation leak.
he wants to start, i dont see it, but might work. i see a lot of you talking 2 way player. give that up, he is not gonna be a 2 way player
I don’t get this signing at all.
Ok! Really smart move by the Angels
Coming Thursday…:
PLAYERS: You are
OWNERS: a bunch
PLAYERS: of liars
OWNERS: and we
PLAYERS: can’t ever
OWNERS: trust you
PLAYERS: to negotiate
OWNERS: in good faith.
I’ve been posting how this would be a good move. He could be a 5th OFer and part of 6 man rotation. If that does not workout our setup man.
Now Suzuki, Castillo, Gray.
Plus a local player.
You don’t see the issue. If they are saving a sixth spot for him, that makes it less likely they’ll add another starter.
Add another pitcher. And they still need two more BP guys. This creates problems.
He is a piece of the puzzle that fits in multiple locations that will give flexibility . Bullpen piece that has pitched high leverage before, spot starter, or number 6 starter, a fifth outfielder (720 OPS without consistent AB’s) lifetime 4.07 ERA in a bandbox stadium. I still want 2 more BP pieces and hopefully 2 SP. They will need 8 to 10 SP’s this season .
Urnuts. I heard the same explanation last year. I said it, it happened and people still don’t get it.
I hope the Angels add another starter and two RPs who are likely to be good, if not, this is a gamble the Angels shouldn’t be taking.
I dont get this. I like Lorenzen as a RP, but with his injury history and skillset the Angels are an odd fit. expensive coming off injury and probably not one of their 5 best SP options assuming they make one more big addition as they look to (if they dont they arent winning anything anyways), and you cant use his two way talents well with Ohtani blocking him at DH.
Why not, Lorenzen plays outfield.
they’re going 6 man rotation, I read
What if he plays right field and that allows the Angels to trade Adell for a front line starter like Castillo, or Max Meyer? I believe that is part of this deal. And it gives them depth. They are trying to add as many athletic arms as they can to deepen their pitching pool.
He has a 282 lifetime OBP. Seriously, you want to put him in RF?
Are you high?
Lorenzen is not an everyday position player. He might get ocasional pinch hit ABs or might make sense as a relief pitcher on days when Ohtani starts—since the DH is lost—and Lorenzen could go 2 or 3 innings and receive an AB (saving the Angels from using a pinch hitter).
Orange, that’s not a bad use for him. The long man out of the pen who can give you innings. It sounds pretty much like Barria who has to make this team.
It’s not worth seven million. But it’s not my money. If the Angels sign two set up men who are likely to be good and another starter who is likely to be good, then I don’t have an issue overpaying for Lorenzen based on a few of Ohtani’s short starts. But based on last year, I’m not optimistic that’s the plan.
They must be trying him as a SP for 7 million coming off some injuries and inconsistencies.
Or he could be a closer? I think he could be decent closer option if he stays healthy.
Probably better just a bullpen piece though.
He put up 0.0 WAR last year. He’s not a guy you make a priority to sign.
Ugh.
He was injured. He is exactly who they should be signing for depth. This signing isn’t stopping them from pursuing Ray and Stroman. Lorenzen as your 5th or sixth starter is an upgrade.
He hasn’t been a regular starting pitcher since 2015. He’s essentially unproven as a starting pitcher as of now—this is not an upgrade over who we already have (i.e., Canning, Suarez, Barria, Detmers). This feels like another disaster signing just like Quintana, Teheran, Cahill, Harvey, Lincecum, Bundy, et al. And, yes, most will argue (just like with those signings), “at least it’s only a one-year deal. There’s no risk.” But it’s $7M down the drain, which I’d rather use towards signing a real starting pitcher, a SS, resigning Iglesias, or a platoon catcher, etc.
To clarify, Lorenzen is an intriguing arm especially as a reliever and ocasional spot starter. But not at $7M, more like $3M.
And he’s someone you sign as camp is nearing, not someone you invest a significant sum and roster spot in November.
One year deals hoping a guy will bounce back has been the Angels MO for too long. And yet it continues.
Welcome home Michael!!!
i like this. he’d be long relief or spot start. very useful!
So many know it all on MLBTR …
you, too!
Sir you are reading comments, which by definition means –
a verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction.
The Mariners say thank you…
Will Lorenzon play CF or pitch out of the bullpen?
According to reports he’s going in the rotation, which really bothers me.
This is a great depth signing. He can start at the back end of the rotation and even play outfield, or pinch hit. At $7MM this is a very good value with high upside potential– just like Jon Gray. I like it. Having said that— the Angels must come away with either Stroman or Ray… have to. Need a 200 inning top of the rotation arm. Ohtani, Ray, Syndergaard, Sandoval, Lorenzen, Suarez is a very good rotation with big arms at the top for the playoffs. If you don’t get that big arm reliability you are now basing an entire season on Syndergaard and Ohtani being able to repeat– not good enough.
Angles with a big splash tonight, cant wait for bobblehead night
This just in angels sign Matt shoemaker and Trevor Cahill (again) perry is quoted “ I really believe that this is cahill’s year.”
On the trade front Jared Walsh, fletcher, and ptbnl to dodgers for heaney
1. Is he really starting caliber? 4.27 FIP, 1.371 WHIP career isn’t really screaming anything like that. Already 29 so I”m not seeing the hidden breakout potential.
2. Last time he was a starter he gave up a ton of home runs and didn’t strike people out.
3. I keep reading about this 2 way stuff. How does it have any value with a universal DH? A .710 career OPS really isn’t anything to be excited about. Sure that’s GREAT for a pitcher but way below league average.
Better than giving 40 million to Max.
According to informed sources, The Marlins were in on Michael Lorenzen right up until he signed the deal to join the Angels.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but not one that matched the Angels’ financial commitment. The Marlins weren’t the only team to be outbid.
Lorenzen can relieve for Ohtani without having to use a pinch hitter and he can go to the outfield if he stops pitching to swap batting order slots for the next inning. Makes sense.
I hope we are not finished with pitching. My concern is we are now reading articles about who the Angels are “in” on which means they are not serious about them. Whenever the Angels sign a big name, it is never leaked to the media prior to the signing. I believe the leaks are Moreno’s way of appeasing the fans. I can’t think of a single player that we heard before hand that we were “in” on that we ended up signing.
Wonder if this fills a spot at the back of the rotation to allow trading one of the young SPs that showed well last year? Maybe this leads to a Castillo deal or something with the Marlins?
That would also leave payroll open to sign a closer and SS.
$32M on Syndergaard & Lorenzen? I like to gamble as much as the next guy, but neither guys are anywhere close to a sure thing.
I’ll gamble on Sydergaard. He’s a coin flip. Lorenzen has little chance to be a good starter and is a coin flip to be of use in the bullpen.
The Angels need to add one starter who is likely to be successful and two more late inning RPs who are likely to be successful. If they are counting on Lorenzen to fill one of those needs, it’s a horrible gamble.
This is such an Angels signing.
The real problem here is the twin anchors of Upton short term and RenDone long term. Those two contracts signing declining position players in their 30s combined with Moreno’s cheapness to fix this problem make it necessary for this mediocre GM to look for high-risk bargains. This situationwon’t end for a long time because RenDone’s stupid contract goes on forever.. $37 million per year for RenDone is an abomination.
I don’t think either is a problem. Upton is not a problem because the Angels have a lot of room under the Threshold. Rendon is not a problem because I still think he’s going to be the best 3rd baseman in Angel history. Third has been a hole ever since Troy Glaus suffered that freak injury almost 20 years ago.
Well, no Gray, no Gausman, no Ray.. Im betting at this point no Stroman.. Not sure why they’re not trying to sign a decent pitcher.. HOPING Thor returns to his old self.. do they expect one or two of their 20 draft signings to be something in the next couple years?
I’m skeptical the Angels are going to sign the players they need. Last off-season was a disaster.
It looks like my strategy is similar to Perry’s.. I’m hoping and praying he’s not a complete idiot and he’s hoping and praying guys who haven’t done it this decade find a magic pill.
It’s interesting that the Angels philosophy is short term contracts. DiPoto just signed Ray to 5 years and Eppler just signed Scherzer to 3 years, so is it the Angels philosophy or more likely Morenos ?
Next year the Angels are going to get hammered in arbitration. They need to have a lot of these contracts off the books and they need Adell, Marsh, Detmers and Sandoval and even Canning to develop.
It’s a very important year for the Angels. And they better not neglect the bullpen which is practically empty.
That money spent on Lorenzen would have better spent on an RP who was more likely to be effective than Lorenzen.
Lorenzen chances of being an effective starter are slim. His chances of being an effective RP iare a coin flip.
It wasn’t a good gamble.
work the phones tonight and tomorrow, minasian!!
After years of Angel fans begging and pleading to aquire starting pitching the organization listened. A guy coming off TJ and a guy who wanting to be a starter after relieving for 6 years. Not the route I would have went but it’s something.
Sydergaard is a good gamble. This year they have the money and it’s a one year contract. The talent is there.
Lorenzen, not so much.
Good gamble for sure. Just not sure how much I want to gamble while paying 2 guys 300 plus million and having Ohtani.
Angels need to make splashes now.
Stroman and Iglesias are a must if we plan on contending for the wild card.
This reminds me of when CJ Wilson moved from the BP at 29 and went on the have 5 straight good seasons averaging 15 wins and ERA’s from 2.75 to 3.60
baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsocj01.shtml
I see a solid number 5 at 6.75million ( who is motivated to prove he is a SP) who also gives the team a 5th OFer with plus defense and better batting stats than our #4 outfielder the last couple of seasons.
This is just a small piece of the puzzle.
A trade for a SP is coming, signing a solid closer will happen, along with a right handed setup man.
If you want to Bitc# call out Artie and his getting in the way of the GM’s. Yankees started winning when George Sr got out of the way and started focusing developing new cash streams. Artie please focus on the stadium, developing the land around it, grow your billions and spend!