Reds rival signs home run-prone hurler to laughable $10-million deal

When the St. Louis Cardinals make a visit to Great American Ball Park in 2024, fans in the outfield bleachers better bring their glove, because Lance Lynn might give up four big flies...in a row.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Cardinals have decided to start rebuilding their starting rotation by signing the league-leader in home runs from a year ago.

Lynn reportedly signed a one-year deal with a club-option that guarantees the right-hander $10-million. Lynn allowed back-to-back-to-back-to-back homers in the Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 NLDS loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB Postseason.

Reds rival signs home run-prone hurler to laughable $10-million deal

Lance Lynn began the 2023 season with the Chicago White Sox, but was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead the trade deadline. The Dodgers suffered some brutal injuries up and down their rotation and needed an additional arm.

Unfortunately for LA, Lynn was a human batting practice-machine last season. In 32 total starts, Lynn surrendered a league-worst 44 home runs. That's more than 2.2 big flies per nine innings pitched.

After allowing four round-trippers in a row during the Dodgers' playoff loss in Game 3 of the NLDS, Lynn finished with 48 home runs surrendered in 2023. According to Baseball Savant, Lynn would've allowed 56 expected homers at Great American Ball Park last season.

From 2019-2021, Lynn was consistently in the conversation for the AL Cy Young Award. Undoubtedly, the Cardinals are hoping Lynn returns to form in 2024, otherwise they're going to have a massive hole in their starting rotation.

The Cincinnati Reds are going to have fun teeing off on Lance Lynn next season. On the downside, however, Lynn had an awful year and still landed a $10-million contract. That tells you where the market is headed this offseason.