Another team has joined the Rangers in searching for additions to their rotation.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Rays are the latest team to have engaged in trade talks for starting pitcher Lance Lynn. As with last week’s report and Texas, Nightengale once again says that the White Sox’s asking price remains “steep” for the veteran.
Lynn, 36, has been finding some success lately with his high strikeout rate. On the season, he’s 6-8 with a 6.06 ERA (73 ER/108.1 IP), 4.95 FIP, 1.431 WHIP, and 11.0 K/9 ratio. Lynn’s first start after the All-Star break came on Saturday night, where he struck out six over 5.1 IP while giving up six hits, four earned runs on two homers, and three walks. Luckily, the offense bailed him out for a 6-5 win.
In his Sunday report, Nightengale says the Rays believe they have their best team in franchise history, but will still likely be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline. He notes they will be targeting another bat and a starting pitcher, hence the interest in Lynn. They are rumored to also have been scouting Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals.
A few weeks ago on the White Sox Talk Podcast, Nightengale commented on Lynn by saying he’s heard that other MLB general managers “love” the starter, believing he would be a different pitcher on a different team.
“I know he hasn’t, you know, he doesn’t have a good ERA,” said Nightengale. “Hasn’t performed well. But they think – get him out of Chicago, get him in our hands, pitch lights out.”
Lynn is earning $18.5 million this year with an $18.5 million club option or $1 million buyout in 2024.
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Featured Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sox need to take what they can get for Lynn. The best they can hope is marginal low level prospect and maybe cash considerations.
But knowing how inept this front office is… Sox will continue to overvalue Lynn. Other teams will simply shift gears and Lynn with is piss poor attitude will still be on the team after the deadline.