With Lucas Giolito potentially out for the entire 2024 season due to an elbow injury, the Boston Red Sox’s thin pitching rotation now faces even more pressure. According to FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray, free-agent starter Michael Lorenzen is the most logical and affordable addition Boston can make.
“I think Lorenzen is what makes the most sense for the Red Sox,” Murray said, emphasizing the team almost has to pursue him now.
Why Lorenzen?
Projected cost: Around $20 million on a two-year deal, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Affordable alternative: Compared to Jordan Montgomery (expected to command $100M+), Lorenzen is a mid-tier option Boston might actually act on.
2023 performance:
3.58 ERA in 18 starts with Detroit (earned an All-Star nod)
Threw a no-hitter in his Phillies debut post-trade
Finished with a rough patch in Philadelphia (5.51 ERA over 7 starts)
Career stats: 4.11 ERA, 69 starts over 9 MLB seasons
Red Sox Rotation Outlook
Without Giolito, Boston’s projected starters are:
Brayan Bello
Nick Pivetta
Kutter Crawford
Tanner Houck
None had an ERA under 4.00 in 2023. With Chris Sale traded and James Paxton in LA, the team lacks both depth and top-tier consistency.
Frugal Front Office Moves
The Red Sox have been hesitant to spend big this offseason, and a short-term, lower-cost deal for Lorenzen could align with both their budget and immediate need.
As Patrick McAvoy of FanNation put it:
"The Red Sox have payroll room, but don't seem eager to use it. Lorenzen might be the most realistic fit."
