Could a 2023 All-Star pitcher be a landing spot for the SF Giants?

The SF Giants have been connected to a two-time Cy Young winner quite a bit this offseason, but could they pivot to a 2023 All-Star pitcher instead? Robert Murray of FanSided wonders if Michael Lorenzen could be a fit for San Francisco given that his projected contract terms are more favorable compared to Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery.

Could a 2023 All-Star pitcher be a landing spot for the SF Giants?

The Giants expressed interest in the veteran pitcher following his seven-year run with the Cincinnati Reds. He ended up signing with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year, $6.75 million pact for 2022 instead.

Interestingly, the Detroit Tigers reeled him in last winter. The Tigers' front office is led by former Giants general manager Scott Harris, so it is possible that Harris was pushing for the Giants to sign the right-handed pitcher when he was a part of their front office.

While it is somewhat understandable as to why Snell or Montgomery are still available, it is surprising to see Lorenzen available in March. He is seeking a multi-year deal, but the average annual value should not be too much higher than his $8 million salary last season.

Of course, the Giants had an opportunity to trade for the 32-year-old pitcher at the deadline, but the Philadelphia Phillies were able to work out a deal with Detroit. At first, this proved to be a shrewd deal by the Phillies as he completed a no-hitter in just his second start following the move.

Overall, he posted a 5.51 ERA in 11 appearances with Philadelphia. The nine-year veteran has registered a 4.11 ERA in his career while working out of both the starting rotation and the bullpen. This does include a 4.41 ERA out of the rotation. He has worked primarily as a starter in recent seasons, so it is unknown what type of workload he could handle. That said, he did tally 153 innings pitched between two teams last season.

Lorenzen is a known commodity at this point. He has a track record of being a quality pitcher and would add more predictability to a Giants rotation that is light on experience. The Giants could open the year with Logan Webb, Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn, and Mason Black in the rotation.

Outside of Webb, there are a lot of question marks. The addition of Lorenzen would ease some of those concerns. However, he is not necessarily enough of an upgrade over any of the Giants' internal options.

The front office seems committed to the youth movement with the pitching staff. Adding Lorenzen would divert from that commitment. At this point, it feels like the Giants will enter the season with who they currently have in camp.