PITTSBURGH — Michael Lorenzen’s breakout season will continue in a new home. The Tigers are trading the All-Star right-hander to the Phillies ahead of Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline in exchange for infield prospect Hao-Yu Lee, Philadelphia’s No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, a source told MLB.com.
The clubs have not confirmed the deal. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi first reported that an agreement was close.
TRADE DETAILS
Phillies receive: RHP Michael Lorenzen
Tigers receive: Minor League INF Hao-Yu Lee
Lorenzen is the first example of the pitching development line that Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris looked to use to build trade assets in Detroit, a track that served him well as general manager for the Giants.
Lorenzen and the Tigers agreed on a one-year, $8.5 million contract last winter, with a goal to help him take the next step in his development as a full-time starter after spending the first half of his career largely as a reliever. The 31-year-old became an All-Star in Detroit while blossoming into a front-line starter who could eat innings efficiently.
Lorenzen posted a 5-7 record, a 3.58 ERA and a 3.88 FIP in 18 starts. He tossed 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings over a five-start stretch ending last week, the longest such streak by a Tigers starter since Michael Fulmer’s AL Rookie of the Year campaign in 2016. Along the way, he whittled down what was once a seven-pitch arsenal to focus on mixing fastballs, sinkers, sliders, sweepers and changeups for each opponent.
While Lorenzen’s starting success opened eyes, his experience as a reliever over seven seasons in Cincinnati to begin his career made him an appealing target for contenders who could stick him in the rotation for the stretch run and then use him out of the bullpen for multiple innings in the postseason. Unlike his former Tigers teammate Eduardo Rodriguez, Lorenzen is a free agent at season’s end with no opt-outs involved.
Among those drawn to Lorenzen’s versatility was former Tigers general manager and current Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who swung a deal with his old club for the second time in eight months. The Tigers sent reliever Gregory Soto and infielder Kody Clemens to Philadelphia in January for infielder Nick Maton and outfielder Matt Vierling.
The 20-year-old Lee, signed out of Taiwan two years ago, is a versatile infielder and contact hitter who could have power potential as he physically matures. Primarily a second baseman, he’s hitting .283 (70-for-247) with 12 doubles, five home runs, 26 RBIs and a .733 OPS at High-A Jersey Shore. He has also stolen 14 bases in 17 attempts.