The New York Yankees have had a slow offseason in the early goings of MLB’s hot stove season. They have made a few value signings, but they have all been with players who were on the Yankees in 2025.
However, there is still time to make meaningful acquisitions either via trade or the free agent market. There are still a lot of arms left that can help the Yankees remain contenders in the ultra-competitive AL East. A recent prediction has the Yankees landing former All-Star starter Michael Lorenzen, who might be a cheap option after coming off a down season with the Kansas City Royals.
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Yankees Predicted to Land Michael Lorenzen in Free Agency
New York is still awaiting the decisions of its two top free agents, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt. However, they have already lost a lot of production on the pitching side as Luke Weaver and Devin Williams both decided to sign with the rival Mets.
In a recent “under-the-radar” predictions piece by FanSided’s Christopher Kline, the Yankees are linked to Michael Lorenzen, who was an All-Star back in 2023 with the Detroit Tigers:
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Michael Lorenzen #24 of the Kansas City Royals delivers in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 25, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
“Michael Lorenzen, 34, hits free agency coming off of a down year in Kansas City. He made 27 appearances (26 starts) and posted a 4.64 ERA. There are faint positive indicators, though: His strikeout rate (8.1 per nine innings) reached its highest mark since 2020. He still limits walks and avoids excessive hard contact. The off-speed pitches, particularly his changeup, can be real weapons.”
Lorenzen dealt with an oblique injury in 2025, which hindered his production a bit, but he still has the pitch mix to be a reliable starter. He’s averaged 25 starts over the past three starts, and with the Yankees’ injuries in the starting rotation, he’d be able to provide much-needed innings.
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Michael Lorenzen’s Market Value
Over 11 career seasons, Lorenzen has a 4.08 ERA in 119 total starts. Once known as primarily a reliever, the Tigers transitioned him into a starter, and he’s been one ever since.
According to Spotrac, Michael Lorenzen’s market value is a three-year deal worth $44 million. That is a contract that New York could certainly afford.
BaseballReference.com projects Lorenzen to pitch 141 innings next season, and post a 4.21 ERA and record 118 strikeouts.
New York is expected to start the 2026 season without Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt. While the Yankees like their young arms, adding a veteran like Lorenzen would be a good idea, and it could kickstart the hot stove season for New York. His bullpen experience could also allow the Yankees the freedom to move him to a reliever role if needed.
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