A pair of former Philadelphia Phillies starters are garnering attention during this late stage in free agency, according to one Major League Baseball insider.
Right-handers Michael Lorenzen and Noah Syndergaard hold interest from several teams looking for starting pitching depth, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported on the station on Monday.
Morosi described the Padres, Pirates, Twins, Cubs and Rays as clubs looking for rotation members in that tier. He specifically mentioned San Diego and Minnesota as potential fits for Lorenzen and Syndergaard, as both clubs lost starters from last season.
Lorenzen, 32, and Syndergaard, 31, each spent half a season in Philadelphia, joining the team as rentals in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Both players were acquired by the Phillies to serve in a hybrid rotation role.
After beginning 2023 in Detroit, Lorenzen’s Phillies career got off to a dazzling start. He followed an eight-inning debut with a no-hitter in his first start at Citizens Bank Park, one of the highlights of the season for the team. Lorenzen’s performance fell off for the rest of the regular season, however, as he posted a 5.51 ERA in 11 appearances and he was taken out of the rotation ahead of the postseason.
Syndergaard, the former Mets star, was traded to the Phillies at the deadline in 2022 by the Angels. With injury zapping his peak velocity, “Thor” was serviceable in 10 appearances in the regular season for the Phillies, with a 4.12 ERA. He started the clinching Game 4 in the National League Division Series against the Braves and took the loss in Game 5 of the World Series against the Astros, while making two additional playoff relief outings. Syndergaard then had a disastrous 2023 season with the Dodgers and Guardians.
Now, both Lorenzen and Syndergaard have a number of potential suitors as they attempt to bounce back in 2024.
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