right handed batsman Michael Lorenzen and this colorado rockies The deal has been reached on a one-year, $8 million contract with a club option, sources told ESPN on Wednesday, becoming the first free agent to sign under it. Paul DePodesta is the new president of baseball operations.,
The 34-year-old Lorenzen is a versatile veteran entering his 12th season. Able to pitch effectively out of the rotation or bullpen, he has served effectively in both roles, although his early goodwill made him attractive to a Rockies team in full rebuilding mode.
Colorado’s annual winter dormancy was given a temporary reprieve with the addition of Lorenzen, pending a physical. His 2026 salary of $7.75 million nearly matches his career-high $8.5 million in 2023, and the deal includes a team option for $9 million in 2027 with a $250,000 buyout.
In Lorenzen, the Rockies get a top-tier athlete — he hit four home runs in 2018 and played 34 games in the outfield for Cincinnati early in his career — with a six-pitch arsenal and excellent command. Although Lorenzen’s raw material does not grade well on teams’ analytics models, his ability to strike out despite low strikeout rates generated interest in both starting and relief roles.
Lorenzen loves starting and will do so for Rockies team 43–119 season There is little hope of avoiding 100 losses again this upcoming season. Following the dismissal of general manager Bill Schmidt, the Rockies acquired DePodesta – a former general manager. los angeles dodgers GM – From the title of Chief Strategy Officer of the NFL cleveland browns,
He inherited a team lacking talent at the big league level and also lacking in a farm system. The deals are valuable bets for players like Lorenzen, with the hope that he may find himself one of the few pitchers capable of succeeding at Coors Field. Had Lorenzen come closer to his 2024 season than 2025, when he posted a 4.64 ERA in 141⅔ innings for Kansas City, the Rockies might have had a solid trade option at the deadline.
Lorenzen joins kyle freeland, chase dolander And Ryan Feltner As potential top four starters tanner gordon, bradley blalock And McKade Brown All contenders for fifth place after a season in which he posted an ERA of 6.33 or higher.
The Rockies’ 2025 pitching staff was one of the worst in baseball history, posting a 5.99 ERA as a staff – the third worst by a team since World War II.
