5:18pm: Detroit does not appear to have present interest in Lohse, Chris Iott of MLive.com tweets.
4:47pm: Free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse is drawing interest from the Tigers, Reds and Orioles, and Baltimore has made an offer to the Scott Boras client, reports MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). It’s not known whether the 37-year-old has received any other contract offers.
Lohse hit the open market after arguably the worst season of his career — the final campaign of a three-year, $33MM deal with the Brewers. Though Lohse had logged a 3.28 ERA in his four prior seasons combined (796 1/3 innings), his production evaporated entirely, as he lost his spot in the rotation following a 6.31 ERA over his first 124 innings (22 starts). Lohse was said to take the demotion professionally and, to his credit, turned his season around to an extent once he was transferred to the bullpen. In 28 1/3 relief innings to close out 2015, Lohse posted a much more characteristic 3.81 ERA with 22 strikeouts against 13 walks.
Over 15 years in the majors, Lohse has worked to a 4.37 ERA. But his best work has come relatively late in his career; since 2008 (his age-29 season), that ERA is a much stronger 3.99 over 1358 1/3 innings. Teams looking at his potential to contribute even at a fairly advanced age will surely also note that Lohse has maintained his roughly 89 mph fastball velocity rather consistently, and has even managed to elevate his swinging strike rate over recent years (topping out at 9.1% last season). To some extent, his struggles in 2015 trace to an uncharacteristically high 15.3% HR/FB rate, a somewhat elevated .314 BABIP, and a 68.7% strand rate that fell below the league average of 73.4%.
Heyman notes that Lohse is looking for the “right fit,” though it’s not clear what exactly that would mean for him. Veterans in his situation could prioritize any number of factors, such as the promise of a rotation spot (or at least the opportunity to earn one in relatively short order), playing near their home, and/or signing with a team that is a postseason contender (to name a few). Wherever he ends up, Lohse seems likely to sign a minor league deal, which would allow him to head to Triple-A to see some work in a game setting, though he may not need to build up too much durability, as Heyman also tweets that Lohse has been throwing weekly simulated games that consist of 90 pitches.
Any of the three listed clubs makes some sense for Lohse. The Orioles have a questionable big league rotation, and while Lohse is hardly a lock to add any form of stability, he’d give Baltimore a much-needed depth option, as their collection of MLB-ready arms in the minors is limited. The Reds have a number of rotation options, but few that have much in the way of big league experience, and Lohse could help to shoulder the load. The Tigers, meanwhile, have a full rotation at the Major League level, but Mike Pelfrey has struggled early, and others such as Anibal Sanchez and Justin Verlander have dealt with injuries in recent seasons, so Lohse could serve as a depth option there as well.
The Tigers have Norris rehabbing, and Boyd as readily available depth options. The Tigers are committed to paying Pelfrey $16MM/2 years. That’s not really a long relief option., so they likely will give him a long leash in the rotation. Lohse is just not a good fit, unless he is dirt cheap, and requires no automatic MLB promotion. Let Cincinnati and Baltimore fight over him.
With Bailey lamb and descalfini back within 3 weeks only see fit in the pen
Yeah, with all them making rehab starts the Reds in early May will be dealing with finding starts Bailey, Iglesias, DeSclafani, Finnegan, Lamb, Moscot… not to mention Dan Straily and Alfredo Simon, if they want to keep either in the rotation. And eventually Robert Stephenson and Cody Reed too.
I don’t see a fit at all. By the time Lohse could get ready other starters will be healthy and activated. Lohse doesn’t have appealing stuff for the bullpen, either. Maybe there was an opening for him before adding Straily and Simon, but there isn’t anymore.
I have no idea what appeal Kyle Lohse would see in joining the Reds, or their situation. Both in terms of rebuilding, having better/younger candidates, having no spot for him, and playing in Great American Ballpark. He’s pitched for the Reds before and, with a ~4.50 ERA, it didn’t go particularly well. If he wants to become a veteran presence in AAA Louisville, fine.
Wow….37 years old….throwing 89 MPH at best….coming off his worst year…what major league team is going to be the next chump to anti up untold riches long term to this basically .500 pitcher over his career.
He’s always thrown 89. And he’s going to sign a minor league deal.
What’s wrong with signing a “.500 pitcher” as your 6th/7th starter? Almost every team in the league will have a point in the season where they need a couple starts in a row and a guy who can go 6 with 3 ER allowed is useful if you have him stashed in AAA.
No doubt, Greedy Scott Boras started the “Tigers are interested…” false rumor in order to drive up the cost of Kyle Lohse.
Man that Orioles rotation would be good in 2010. Gallardo, Jimenez, and lohse in one rotation would get someone pumped back then, now it might make them want to run in the other direction
Why would the REDS be interested? They are trying to fine which of there young pitchers will stick and build for the future. They signed Simon because he could always be moved to long relief when other starters came back.