The Philadelphia Phillies have been relatively fortunate so far this spring with minimal injuries and none to the most critical big-name players (knock on wood). Other MLB teams have not been so lucky. Possibly the most jarring injury news of the preseason is the recent developments with Gerrit Cole in New York.
The Yankees' ace and arguably the top pitcher in the majors, Cole will be out of action for at least one month, and maybe two, with damage to his throwing elbow, as explained by MLB's Bryan Hoch.
The Yankees are understandably scrambling. They reportedly offered a package to the Chicago White Sox for Dylan Cease, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale. As we now know, the San Diego Padres made the blockbuster trade for Cease on Wednesday, as outlined by CBS Sports' R.J. Anderson.
Former Phillie Michael Lorenzen mentioned as a name of interest for the Yankees
Replacing the unanimous 2023 Cy Young winner is a tall task, but there are plenty of options still on the free agent market. The Bronx Bombers should be able to land someone before Opening Day.
One of the names that has emerged is former Phillies pitcher Michael Lorenzen, as Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Thursday. The right-hander is still looking for a job after spending the final three months of the 2023 season in Philadelphia.
Yankees have checked in on Michael Lorenzen. Would be nice addition for team that really could use two starters. White Sox among others in play.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 14, 2024
How thrilled would Yankees fans be to replace Cole with Lorenzen? We're going out on a limb and suggesting the signing wouldn't receive much aplomb, especially with NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell and World Series champion Jordan Montgomery still out of work.
Lorenzen had possibly the best beginning you could imagine to his brief Phillies tenure. He debuted with an eight-inning, five-strikeout win in Miami against the division rival Marlins. He followed that up in his home debut with a no-hitter, the 14th in team history. Things went downhill from there, and by the postseason he seemed to be an afterthought, only throwing 2 2/3 innings in the playoffs.
Last we heard, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on March 5 that Lorenzen is seeking a two-year deal worth $20 million (subscription required). With Opening Day now just two weeks away, that price might have come down. But with the Yankees' desperate position, it's likely the same or higher.