DENVER (AP) — Right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Colorado Rockies finalized their $8 million, one-year contract on Thursday.
Lorenzen gets a $7.75 million million salary this year, and the deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027 with a $250,000 buyout plus award bonuses.
Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.
Lorenzen, 34, was 7-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 26 starts and one relief appearance last year for Kansas City, which . He earned an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for innings and games pitched.
Lorenzen struck out a career-high 127 in 141 2/3 innings, but also tied for the major league lead with 12 wild pitches.
Colorado has lost 101 or more games in each of the past three years, including a major league-high 119 in 2025. It’s last winning record was 91-72 in 2018.
Paul DePodesta was hired as in November, and Warren Schaeffer to full-time manager after finishing last season as the interim skipper.
The current nucleus for the rebuilding Rockies includes All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. The team also selected shortstop Ethan Holliday with the No. 4 pick in last year’s amateur draft.
Lorenzen broke into the majors with Cincinnati in 2015. He is 54-55 with a 4.08 ERA in 395 career appearances, also pitching for Texas, Detroit, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Angels.
Lorenzen from Detroit to Philadelphia on Aug. 1, 2023. He in his home debut with the Phillies, striking out five and issuing four walks in a 7-0 victory over Washington.
He would get $100,000 each for winning an MVP award or Cy Young Award and $50,000 for second through fifth in the voting. Lorenzen also would earn $100,000 apiece for BBWAA Reliever of the Year and Rivera/Hoffman Reliever of the Year, and $50,000 for second through fifth in the BBWAA voting and second or third in the Rivera/Hoffman.
He would earn $100,000 for World Series MVP, $75,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $100,000 for Comeback Player of the Year and $25,000 each for All-Star selection and winning a Gold Glove.
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