The Detroit Tigers sign starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen
After an abysmal campaign in 2022 that saw the Detroit Tigers finish the season with a 66-96 record, the Detroit Tigers have opted to make some important free agent signings during the offseason. After signing veteran starting pitcher Matthew Boyd the day earlier to a one-year deal, the Tigers decided to also ink right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year deal worth $8.5 million.
It was obvious the Tigers would go after pitching depth following the 2022 MLB regular season, considering they went through a total of 17 different starting pitchers. They will be hoping that by signing veterans like Boyd and Lorenzen, they will not need to rely on their youngsters to make the move to the big leagues before they are truly ready to.
Lorenzen was originally drafted 38th overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but didn’t make his debut with the club until April, 2015. While he spent the majority of his career as a reliefer, he chose to sign with the Los Angeles Angels prior to the start of last season because it was an opportunity for him to be a starting pitcher. He will have that same opportunity this year with the Tigers after going 8-6 with a .424 ERA in 18 starts for a total of 97 2/3 innings with the Angels last season.
While the veteran was forced to miss two months with a shoulder injury in 2022, he came back following the injury much better putting up an ERA of 2.36 during his final five starts of the season. He and Boyd will join the likes of Eduardo Rodriguez, Matt Manning and Spencer Turnbull in the Tigers’ rotation. While the season hasn’t even started yet, the Tigers’ rotation looks much sturdier than it did last year and could be capable of producing the results fans have been clamouring for.
It’s been a difficult time for supporters of the Tigers with the club missing out on the playoffs for eight consecutive years. The last time they appeared in the postseason was back in 2014 when they were swept 3-0 by the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Divisional Series. Fans are desperate to see their team competitive again, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case – even with the recent additions of Boyd and Lorenzen.
The 2023 campaign will not be any easier for the Tigers with the likes of the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox in the same division, however Detroit does look much more prepared to deal with the strains that a 162-game regular season can bring. The important part will be keeping everybody healthy, but with the additional depth that Detroit has brought in thus far they shouldn’t have too many issues.
The fact that Lorenzen also has experience as a reliever means that the Tigers could theoretically move him into the bullpen if needed at some point in the season if their young arms prove they are ready to be added to the starting rotation.
