Michael Lorenzen Signed with the Rockies for $8 Million

A week ago today, the Colorado Rockies signed pitcher Michael Lorenzen to a 1-year, $8 million contract. In 2025, the Rockies won only 43 games and were among the worst teams of all time. This was in large part due to a pitching staff that gave up 1,021 runs, which was the third worst in MLB history. Pitching in Colorado is a tough task considering the stadium's elevation, which leads to a less favorable pitching environment.

During the 2025 season with the Royals, he served as a starter, pitching to a 4.64 ERA along with a 4.59 FIP. He managed to pitch in 27 games in 141.2 innings. This is a large step down from the season prior, where he posted a 3.31 ERA in 26 games, 24 starts, and 2 bullpen appearances. Despite that, he had bad underlying numbers suggesting he was due for regression: a 4.89 FIP, a K/9 of 6.70, and a walk rate/9 of 4.14. In 2025, he improved on those metrics, posting an 8.07 K/9 and a 2.48 BB/9, much better than the year before.

Originally, Lorenzen was considered a two-way player and was regarded as a solid hitter during his time with the Reds, occasionally starting in the outfield. He has transitioned to being a pitcher only and is likely to continue. From an outsider's point of view, there is no reason to believe there is anything wrong with signing Lorenzen to a 1-year contract. The Rockies organization is in a rebuilding period, and potentially flipping him at the deadline would be a smart decision.

Ultimately, based on the last three years, his projections favor his versatility from pitching in the rotation and bullpen which allows him to be a valuable asset to any team in need of average pitching help. He's good enough to be deserving of the good contract, and his projections support the contract he received. It projects him to earn a 1-year, $7.7 million contract.

Projected- $7.7 million

Actual- $8.0 million