The Kansas City Royals made a significant move to bolster their pitching staff on Monday by acquiring right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen from the Texas Rangers in exchange for left-handed reliever Walter Pennington. The trade closed ahead of the Tuesday trade deadline, with Lorenzen bringing a 5-6 record and a 3.81 ERA in 19 games this season. He will be a free agent this offseason after signing a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Rangers. Despite struggling in his last few games, Lorenzen has shown the ability to be effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .144 average.
Lorenzen, a 32-year-old pitcher, is coming off a season where he was selected to his first All-Star game. He set career-highs in innings pitched, wins, and strikeouts in 2021. With the Royals in a playoff push and in need of pitching depth, Lorenzen’s versatility as a starter and reliever will be valuable. He has experience in both roles, with the majority of his career appearances coming out of the bullpen. His addition to the Royals’ pitching staff will provide stability and options as they look to secure a playoff spot.
The Royals currently hold the third and final wild-card spot in the American League, sitting just one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. They are also only two games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second spot in the AL Central. The addition of Lorenzen will help solidify their pitching staff as they aim to make a postseason run. With several key pitchers on the roster nearing career-high innings totals, Lorenzen’s experience and durability will be essential down the stretch.
In exchange for Lorenzen, the Rangers received Walter Pennington, a left-handed reliever who has seen success in Triple-A this season. Pennington only appeared in one game for the Royals but posted a 2.26 ERA in 37 Triple-A games. The trade allows the Rangers to add a promising bullpen arm to their organization, while the Royals gain a veteran pitcher with playoff experience as they look to make a postseason push. Both teams addressed areas of need with this trade, setting themselves up for success in the remaining games of the season.
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, teams are making moves to improve their rosters for the stretch run. The addition of Michael Lorenzen gives the Royals a boost in their pitching staff, adding depth and versatility to their rotation and bullpen. With the playoff race heating up, every move can have a significant impact on a team’s chances of making a postseason run. The Royals made a bold move to acquire Lorenzen, showing their commitment to competing this season and giving them a better chance to secure a playoff spot.
