Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has recently linked the White Sox to starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who is reportedly eyeing a two-way status for the 2025 season. If the right-hander turns this idea into a reality, he will join Los Angeles’ Shohei Ohtani as the only other player to qualify for the designation.
“Lorenzen, who turns 33 on Jan. 4, has not hit in a major-league game since 2021, and has not had more than one plate appearance in a season since 2019. Not to worry. The idea conceived by Lorenzen and his agent, Ryan Hamill of CAA, could make the pitcher a free-agent fit for non-contenders such as the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins — and a coveted trade target later.”
via Ken Rosenthal/The Athletic
Lorenzen is coming off a solid 2024 campaign in which he posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.235 WHIP over 130.1 innings between the Rangers and Royals. The season prior, Lorenzen was named an All-Star with the Tigers, flipped to the Phillies after the break, and tossed a no-hitter two starts later. While the White Sox would benefit from his presence in the rotation to at least begin the season, the idea of getting Lorenzen the necessary at-bats isn’t entirely crazy.
Before the National League implemented a DH, Lorenzen had shown that he could at least make contact. Over seven major league seasons, the soon-to-be 33-year-old has hit .233/.282/.429 with seven homers and 24 RBI in 147 plate appearances. His best stretch came in 2018 when he went 10-for-48 with four homers for the Reds.
According to Rosenthal’s sources, Hamill sees his client’s designation coming to fruition with a non-contender in the first half of 2025 before Lorenzen is ultimately traded to a contender ahead of the deadline. Whichever team acquires Lorenzen would then benefit from carrying him as a 14th pitcher, after the league imposed a 13-pitcher limit on a 26-man roster back in 2022. The exception to this rule comes with two-way players, who are qualified by pitching at least 20 innings and seeing three or more plate appearances in 20 games as either a position player or DH.
It will be up to the White Sox front office to determine whether Lorenzen’s idea fits into their overall plan. After coming off a 121-loss season and still having no real expectations, it could be worth a shot without taking too many at-bats away from young prospects. Another piece gained at the deadline, even if it’s not necessarily a high-profile prospect, might just entice Chris Getz and Co. enough to let Lorenzen achieve his status.
Follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more White Sox news, rumors, and updates.
Featured Photo: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
