Report: Longtime Starting Pitcher & All-Star Drawing Interest As Closer

February 05, 2025

Lance Lynn, longtime starting pitcher with over 2,000 career innings, is drawing interest from multiple teams as a potential closer for the 2025 season. 

The 37-year-old, who most recently pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, has spent nearly his entire 13-year career as a starter but is open to a bullpen transition. 

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported that several teams have reached out to Lynn’s agent about a late-inning role, a move that has caught the veteran’s attention. “I went, ‘Oooooh. Is the second act, the final act of my career, closing games?’” Lynn said. “It sounds fun.” 

While he has just one career save and hasn’t pitched in relief since 2018, his fastball-heavy arsenal and competitive edge have teams believing he could thrive in high-pressure situations.

The Texas Rangers have emerged as a logical fit, given their familiarity with Lynn from his dominant 2019-20 stint and their need for a closer after losing Kirby Yates to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Despite offseason additions like Robert Garcia and Chris Martin, Texas lacks a proven ninth-inning option. The Detroit Tigers, who had one of the league’s best bullpens last season, are another team linked to Lynn as they look to add veteran leadership. 

Other teams in need of bullpen help, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Angels, could also be interested in adding Lynn’s experience and ability to handle high-leverage situations.

Lynn posted a 3.84 ERA over 23 starts for the Cardinals in 2024 and has worked to improve his durability by shedding weight this offseason. 

Though some teams still view him as a back-end rotation option, the appeal of a battle-tested veteran with the ability to adapt has made his transition to the bullpen a real possibility. 

He has pitched in relief before, most notably during the 2011 World Series, where he retired Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, and Adrián Beltré in a clutch eighth inning for the Cardinals. 

“You always love starting,” Lynn said, “but if you have the ability to get outs in high-leverage situations, there’s no bigger thrill than that, either.” With spring training approaching, his decision could come soon.

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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