Lance Lynn DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Veteran right-hander Lance Lynn announced his retirement from professional baseball on his wife's podcast on Tuesday, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Lynn was hoping to continue his playing career in 2025 and was even reportedly discussing a deal with the Chicago Cubs, but apparently nothing has come to fruition and he will instead hang up his cleats after 13 years in the big leagues. The 37-year-old was originally drafted in the first round (39th overall) in 2008 out of the University of Mississippi. Seven of his 13 MLB campaigns came in St. Louis, including his last in 2024 in which he went 7-4 with a 3.84 ERA (4.31 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 109 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 1/3 innings over 23 starts. The two-time All-Star will finish his major-league career with a 143-99 record, 3.74 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 23.7% strikeout rate in 2,006 1/3 regular-season innings. He won a World Series ring with St. Louis in 2011.

The Chicago Cubs have entered into contract negotiations with veteran free-agent right-hander Lance Lynn on a one-year, big-league contract, according to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale. The Cubs are looking for rotation depth, and Lynn has plenty of experience in the National League Central, having pitched seven seasons with the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The 37-year-old veteran went 7-4 a year ago with a 3.84 ERA (4.31 FIP), a 1.34 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 1/3 innings over 23 starts for the Red Birds. Unsurprisingly at this point in his career, Lynn has missed large chunks of time over the last several seasons, including in 2024 due to a knee injury. Even though his ERA was under 4.00, his xERA of 4.93 told a different story, and Father Time is surely catching up with him. If Lynn lands in Chicago and ends up in the rotation at some point, he'll be a low-upside DFS streamer.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that free-agent right-hander and long-time starter Lance Lynn is getting looks on the open market this offseason as a potential ninth-inning arm, according to his agent Kevin Lustig. The 37-year-old has not pitched out the bullpen since 2018. Lynn said he's "intrigued" about being a closer. Several teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels, are still searching for late-inning help. Lynn made five relief appearances for the St. Louis Cardinals as a rookie in the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers. The free-agent market remains crowded with starting arms, so it may make sense for Lynn to market himself as a potential reliever, especially after he pitched just twice after July 30 last year due to knee inflammation. After dropping around 20 pounds this offseason, Lynn would have more fantasy appeal closing out games.

Free-agent veteran right-hander Lance Lynn said that he has lost 20 pounds already since the end of last season, dropping from 280 to 260 pounds. Lynn battled knee issues in 2024 and was limited to 117 1/3 innings, his lowest total over a full season since missing all of 2016 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 37-year-old became a free agent when the St. Louis Cardinals declined his $12 million club option for 2025. He's nearing the end of his career, but Lynn ranks sixth in the majors with 2,006 1/3 innings pitched since debuting in 2011. The last time Lynn reached 30 starts and 200 innings was back in 2019, so fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a sudden breakout for the veteran hurler. Knee issues dating back to 2021 and a lack of strikeout stuff will make Lynn an easy pitcher to avoid in shallow mixed fantasy leagues, regardless of where he's pitching.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (knee) was placed on the 15-day IL earlier on Wednesday due to right knee inflation and will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals promoted their No.10 ranked prospect, Michael McGreevy, from Triple-A Memphis. Through his first season in St. Louis, the 37-year-old held a 3.84 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP with a 44:109 BB:K ratio. After struggling through the first half of the summer with a 4.96 ERA, Lynn settled down in the second half with a much-improved 1.29 ERA. McGreevy made one appearance in the big leagues earlier this summer, back in July, where he tossed seven innings of one-run ball. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to how McGreevy performs over the final week of the season as he could contend for a spot in the rotation next spring.