The Colorado Rockies have surprisingly managed to land a (somewhat) big name.
Free agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen has decided to sign with the Rockies in free agency, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on Wednesday. Lorenzen is signing a one-year, $8 million contract with Colorado.
On top of that, Lorenzen’s contract will also carry a $9 million club option for the 2027 MLB season.
The 34-year-old Lorenzen was an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 2023. Last season with the Kansas City Royals though, Lorenzen regressed some, going 7-11 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP through 26 total starts.
The Rockies are not exactly a top destination for free agents, especially after finishing a miserable 43-119 last season (which was by far the worst record in Major League Baseball). Colorado has also done extremely poorly in the recent past with signing former All-Stars in free agency, particularly the nightmare contract that they gave to former NL MVP Kris Bryant before the 2022 season.
But at $8 million, Lorenzen should be very well worth the risk for the pitching-depleted Rockies. Lorenzen made some major baseball history a few years ago and should be the frontrunner to headline the Colorado rotation in 2026, albeit at the extremely hitter-friendly Coors Field.
