Michael Lorenzen reunited with former Reds teammate following deal with Rangers

It took longer than most expected, but Michael Lorenzen has finally agreed to a free agent deal. The former Cincinnati Reds reliever signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers. Lorenzen's deal contains $2.5 million in incentives, which would allow him to earn up to $7 million in 2024.

Lorenzen's deal with Rangers seems like a steal for the defending World Series champions. After all, Lorenzen recorded over 150 innings pitched last season, and while his 4.18 ERA wasn't overly impressive, Lorenzen was named to the American League All-Star squad and also threw a no-hitter.

Lorenzen will join former Reds teammate Tyler Mahle in Texas. A longtime starter in the Reds organization, Mahle was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2022 and suffered an elbow injury last season that required Tommy John surgery. Mahle was inked to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Rangers earlier this offseason and isn't expected to pitch until closer to the All-Star break.

Michael Lorenzen reunited with former Reds teammate Tyler Mahle

Lorenzen and Mahle are closely linked, as both pitchers were selected by the Reds in 2013 MLB Draft. Lorenzen, out of Cal-State Fullerton was Cincinnati's first-round draft pick that year, while Mahle was taken several rounds later. Mahle, who like Lorenzen, is from California, was drafted in the seventh round out of West Minster High School.

Lorenzen, who's three years older than Mahle, made his major league debut first and started 21 games for Cincinnati in 2015. It was later determined that Lorenzen would be better served acting as a reliever, and the hard-throwing right-hander was moved into the Reds bullpen in 2016.

Mahle made his big league debut in 2017 and by 2019 became a fixture in the Reds rotation. Mahle was Cincinnati's Opening Day starter in 2022 and then traded to the Twins later that year. That deal allowed the Reds to acquire Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, both of whom are expected to be on the Reds 2024 Opening Day roster.

Lorenzen is expected to be part of the Rangers starting rotation, at least until Mahle returns later this summer. Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom are also expected to rejoin the defending champs later this year. Once healthy, the Rangers rotation could be the best in baseball.

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