The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly in serious talks to acquire starting pitcher Lance Lynn, acquiring one of the top names floated in MLB trade rumors this month.
Tampa Bay has slipped down the MLB standings in recent weeks, in part because of its depleted starting rotation. The Rays lost Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs to season-ending injuries early this year. After being ravaged by injuries, the Rays have ranked 12th in rotation ERA (4.01) this month.
- Lance Lynn stats (2023): 6.18 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .266 batting average allowed in 115 innings
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Now, in a market headlined by Marcus Stroman and Shohei Ohtani, Tampa Bay is reportedly closing in on a deal with the White Sox to acquire Lynn.
According to Bob Nightengale, the Rays and White Sox are engaged in “serious talks” on a trade for Lynn. Both sides have already exchanged names who would return to Chicago as part of the deal. Importantly, per Nightengale, Lynn has already agreed to waive his no-trade clause to play for the Rays.
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Lynn has struggled for the majority of the season, including as of late. Across his last eight starts, 47.2 innings pitched, Lynn has a 5.66 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and a .249 batting average allowed to opponents. However, the Rays are betting on a change of scenery to unlock Lynn.
- Lance Lynn contract: $18.5 million salary (2023), $18 million club option in 2024
A two-time All-Star selection, most recently in 2021, Lynn has been excellent in recent years. From 2019-’22 with the White Sox and Texas Rangers, he compiled a 3.42 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and a 635-148 K-BB ratio across 571 innings.
Importantly for Tampa Bay, per Baseball Savant, Lynn still ranks in the 84th percentile for Whiff rate and is in the 89th percentile for fastball spin. However, his fastball velocity (15th percentile) and Barrel rate allowed (10th percentile) are among the worst in MLB for qualified starting pitchers.
Related: Chicago White Sox increasingly likely to trade Tim Anderson
While the Rays will hold an $18 million club option on Lynn for the 2024 season, the expectation is Tampa Bay would decline the option. If the trade goes through and Lynn lands with Tampa Bay, the club will have a $1 million buyout on his contract option this winter.
Lynn projects to open as a back-end starter in the Rays’ rotation, capable of covering six-plus innings each time he takes the mound. Tampa Bay will likely still be in the market for pitching, both a starter and relievers, with an eye kept on the hitters available.
If the trade is completed, Lynn could make his first start for the Rays this weekend in the upcoming series against the Houston Astros.
