March 13, 2025
The Chicago Cubs have entered into contract negotiations with veteran free-agent right-hander
Lance Lynn on a one-year, big-league contract, according to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale. The Cubs are looking for rotation depth, and Lynn has plenty of experience in the National League Central, having pitched seven seasons with the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The 37-year-old veteran went 7-4 a year ago with a 3.84 ERA (4.31 FIP), a 1.34 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 1/3 innings over 23 starts for the Red Birds. Unsurprisingly at this point in his career, Lynn has missed large chunks of time over the last several seasons, including in 2024 due to a knee injury. Even though his ERA was under 4.00, his xERA of 4.93 told a different story, and Father Time is surely catching up with him. If Lynn lands in Chicago and ends up in the rotation at some point, he'll be a low-upside DFS streamer.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
January 30, 2025
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that free-agent right-hander and long-time starter
Lance Lynn is getting looks on the open market this offseason as a potential ninth-inning arm, according to his agent Kevin Lustig. The 37-year-old has not pitched out the bullpen since 2018. Lynn said he's "intrigued" about being a closer. Several teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels, are still searching for late-inning help. Lynn made five relief appearances for the St. Louis Cardinals as a rookie in the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers. The free-agent market remains crowded with starting arms, so it may make sense for Lynn to market himself as a potential reliever, especially after he pitched just twice after July 30 last year due to knee inflammation. After dropping around 20 pounds this offseason, Lynn would have more fantasy appeal closing out games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
December 4, 2024
Free-agent veteran right-hander
Lance Lynn said that he has lost 20 pounds already since the end of last season, dropping from 280 to 260 pounds. Lynn battled knee issues in 2024 and was limited to 117 1/3 innings, his lowest total over a full season since missing all of 2016 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 37-year-old became a free agent when the St. Louis Cardinals declined his $12 million club option for 2025. He's nearing the end of his career, but Lynn ranks sixth in the majors with 2,006 1/3 innings pitched since debuting in 2011. The last time Lynn reached 30 starts and 200 innings was back in 2019, so fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a sudden breakout for the veteran hurler. Knee issues dating back to 2021 and a lack of strikeout stuff will make Lynn an easy pitcher to avoid in shallow mixed fantasy leagues, regardless of where he's pitching.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
October 31, 2024
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitchers
Kyle Gibson and
Lance Lynn had their club options declined and will be headed to free agency. Gibson logged 169 1/3 innings in his debut season in St. Louis with a 8-8 record, 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 68:151 BB:K ratio. Lynn posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP with a 7-4 record across 117 1/3 innings last season. Both remained in the starting rotation the entire season. In the same move, the Cardinals also declined the 2025 club option for pitcher Kenyan Middleton. Middleton logged only five innings in the minor leagues this season due to a forearm injury. This transaction allows the Cardinals to trim substantial payroll off of their pitching staff. Currently, the Cardinals rotation consists of
Miles Mikolas,
Erick Fedde,
Sonny Gray,
Andre Pallante, and
Michael McGreevy.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
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