Royals re-sign Michael Lorenzen to one-year, $7 million deal
The Royals have re-signed right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen to a one-year, $7 million deal, according to ESPN reporter Jeff Passan. Anne Rogers has the full breakdown of the deal that will pay Lorenzen $5.5 million in 2025 with a $1.5 million buyout on a mutual option in 2026. The Royals acquired Lorenzen at the trade deadline from the Rangers last year and he was excellent down the stretch with a 1.57 ERA in 28 2⁄3 innings, making six starts and one relief appearance.
Lorenzen is a ten-year MLB veteran with a career 3.99 ERA with the Reds, Angels, Tigers, Phillies, Rangers, and Royals, earning an All-Star appearance with Detroit in 2023. He put up a 3.31 ERA last year in his time split between Texas and Kansas City, making 24 starts with 97 strikeouts in 130 1⁄3 innings. Lorenzen had success with the Royals throwing a harder sweeper and relying more on his secondaries. He missed four weeks in September with a strained hamstring but returned for the post-season and pitched two games in relief in the ALDS against the Yankees.
The 33-year-old gives the Royals a versatile arm that can compete for a rotation spot but also pitch in the bullpen as needed. He has 93 career MLB starts, but has pitched in 275 career relief appearances. The Royals traded away Brady Singer, but re-signed Wacha to join a rotation with Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans. Lorenzen could compete with Alec Marsh, Kris Bubic, Kyle Wright, and Noah Cameron for the last two rotation spots.
Lorenzen’s agent had been trying to sell him as a two-way player to drive up his asking price in free agency. Lorenzen has been a terrific hitter for a pitcher, batting .233/.282/.429 with seven home runs in 147 plate appearances in his career, although he hasn’t hit since 2021. In a radio interview back in December, Royals GM J.J. Picollo indicated he was waiting for prices to fall in the free agent market, particularly for role players.
The signing puts the Royals’ projected 2025 payroll at around $110 million. Last year the team began the season with a $115 million payroll.