Michael Lorenzen just got DFA'd by the Rockies, and the Blue Jays could use exactly what he used to offer.
Colorado recalled right-hander TJ Shook from Triple-A Albuquerque, and Lorenzen was the corresponding move.
The 34-year-old was one of several veterans the Rockies handed rotation money to over the winter, signing him for $8 million.
The idea made sense on paper. Lorenzen throws seven distinct pitches and never leans on one more than a quarter of the time, a mix that was supposed to survive Coors Field.
It hasn't worked. Lorenzen has made 26 appearances and thrown 115.2 innings, allowing 7.08 earned runs per nine.
His numbers at altitude tell the real story. A 9.12 ERA at home compared to 5.61 on the road is about as clear a Coors Field problem as it gets.
Once he clears waivers, Lorenzen can reject an outright assignment and become a free agent while keeping his money, since he has more than five years of service time.
Why the bullpen version of Lorenzen still intrigues teams
That's where this gets interesting for Toronto. Any club that signs him only owes him the prorated league minimum, with Colorado covering the rest.
Lorenzen's career numbers as a reliever are a different animal than his numbers as a starter. His 3.73 ERA out of the bullpen sits nearly a full run better than his 4.71 mark as a starter.
He made the All-Star team in 2023 with the Phillies, proof there's still a pitcher in there when the role and ballpark line up.
For a Blue Jays team chasing a wild-card spot, adding a veteran arm for next to nothing carries almost no downside.
Toronto doesn't need Lorenzen to be a starter. It needs bullpen depth for the stretch run, and this is about as cheap as that gets.
Whether Toronto or another club moves first is the open question. Bargains like this rarely sit on the market long once the price hits the league minimum.
Should the Blue Jays take a flier on Michael Lorenzen out of the bullpen?
Also read on Blue Jays Insider :
Beloved former Blue Jay Kevin Gausman is having a tough time fitting in with the Cubs
