ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals made their first signing of the offseason Monday, reuniting with starting pitcher Lance Lynn on a one-year deal, according to reports.
According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, the one-year deal is for $10 million. USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale said the deal also includes up to $3 million in performance bonuses.
The deal includes a club option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout, according to a source who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
Lynn, 36, started his career with the Cardinals in 2011 and pitched out of the bullpen in the 2011 playoffs. He was a member of the starting rotation from 2012 to 2017 before leaving in free agency. He's pitched for five teams in the years since then.
He posted a career-worst 5.53 ERA in 32 starts with the White Sox and Dodgers last season and allowed a league-high 44 home runs. After being acquired by the Dodgers on July 28, he posted a 7-2 record with a 4.36 ERA. Despite the high ERA, he posted 191 strikeouts between his time in Chicago and Los Angeles.
The Cardinals entered the offseason with a significant need for starting pitching. Miles Mikolas, Drew Rom and Zack Thompson are the only starting pitchers listed on the team's depth chart as of Monday morning.
The team has not formally announced the deal, which Passan said was still pending until a physical could be performed.
The Cardinals opened four spots on their 40-man roster last week by not offering contracts to pitchers Dakota Hudson and Jake Woodford and position players Andrew Knizner and Juan Yepez.
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