4 easy Houston Astros backup plans after Blake Snell offer falls through
By Mark Powell
The Astros should sign Michael Lorenzen
The easiest and best response to the Astros pitching problem is to not overreact. Dana Brown has been at this for awhile and built World Series teams on the fly, why would he add Snell or Montgomery at their asking price when he doesn't need an ace-level starter right now?
Free-agent RHP Michael Lorenzen threw 70 pitches yesterday, getting up and down four times, hitting 94 to 96 mph with his fastball, according to a report viewed by The Athletic. Here is video from his agent, Ryan Hamill of CAA. pic.twitter.com/Qk5ol8Ovq5
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 18, 2024
Michael Lorenzen threw for scouts early this week in similar fashion to Snell prior to his signing. Lorenzen made the AL All-Star team for the Detroit Tigers in 2023 before he was flipped to the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline.
With the Phillies, Lorenzen through a no-hitter before the bottom fell out on his season, perhaps hinting that an innings limit should have been imposed, or the veteran right-hander needed more rest between starts. Lorenzen never recovered.
Nonetheless, Lorenzen is a capable mid-rotation starting pitcher and is far more affordable than Snell or Montgomery. Jim Crane will be happy to hear that.
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