Right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen has signed with a new team.
The Kansas City Royals lost one of their dependable arms over the past two seasons in free agency. Late on Wednesday night, right-hander Michael Lorenzen inked a deal with the Colorado Rockies. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the contract is for one year at $8 million, with the potential to add another season through a club option.
One thing Colorado can certainly offer Lorenzen is opportunity. While he might have profiled as a swingman or sixth starter for many clubs, including Kansas City, the Rockies plan to give him a guaranteed rotation spot. For Lorenzen, that means stability and a chance to prove himself in one of the most challenging pitching environments in baseball.
Lorenzen’s tenure with the Royals lasted just two seasons, but he provided steady value during that stretch. Across 34 appearances, he posted a 4.12 ERA and struck out 149 hitters in 170 1/3 innings.
His versatility was key for manager Matt Quatraro, as Lorenzen shifted between starting and longer relief roles depending on the club’s needs. That adaptability helped Kansas City navigate injuries and roster turnover while remaining competitive in the AL Central.
Beyond the numbers, Lorenzen brought veteran leadership to a young Royals pitching staff. His work ethic and reputation as a durable, athletic arm made him a respected presence in the clubhouse. For a team still developing its rotation around younger arms like Mason Black and Cole Ragans, Lorenzen’s ability to mentor and stabilize the staff was a valuable asset.
The Royals now face the challenge of replacing his innings. While Ragans is expected to return healthy in 2026 and the front office has expressed confidence in internal options, losing Lorenzen removes a reliable fallback. His departure underscores Kansas City’s offseason approach, which has focused more on bolstering the lineup than adding pitching depth.
For Lorenzen, the move to Colorado represents another chapter in a career defined by adaptability. He has pitched as a reliever, starter and even contributed as a position player earlier in his career. The Rockies will count on that versatility as they attempt to rebound from a difficult 2025 season.
The Royals and Lorenzen parted ways at the end of the 2025 season when the club declined the mutual option on his contract for 2026. That decision came in November, with Kansas City paying him a $1.5 million buyout to make him a free agent.
The move allowed Lorenzen to test the market and ultimately land in Colorado, while giving the Royals financial flexibility as they continue to shape their roster.