Phillies keeping contact with free agent starting pitcher Lance Lynn
Phillies fans are ready for another free agent to come aboard
Following reports the Phillies are in contract negotiations with free agent pitcher Jake Arrieta, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports the club is keeping in contact with another veteran free agent.
Right-hander Lance Lynn and the club have had “recent contact” although a deal is not close to being done at this time. Lynn is represented by Excel Sports, who also represent Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman, Masahiro Tanaka, and Joc Pederson.
Not as heralded as other pitchers in this free agent class Lynn has been a steady number three pitcher who can be a workhorse when needed. Despite missing the entire 2016 season with Tommy John surgery he pitched 186.1 innings for the Cardinals last year with 153 strikeouts and 11 wins.
Since coming up in 2011 Lynn has double-digit wins in each of his five full major league seasons.
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Turning 31 years old in May Lynn doesn’t have as much wear on his arm compared to Arrieta despite the surgery. Philadelphia is reportedly looking to sign a starting pitcher to a deal no more than three years long, which is delaying any potential deal with Arrieta and potentially Lynn.
General manager Matt Klentak and other members of the organization have been very outspoken with their desire to add a veteran starting pithcer. Currently the rotation is led by Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, and Nick Pivetta, all of whom are 27 years old or younger.
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Ben Lively, Mark Leiter, Zach Eflin, and Jake Thompson would battle for the final job if the team doesn’t make any more moves.