The Chicago White Sox acquired Lance Lynn in a trade with the Texas Rangers before the 2021 season in exchange for Dane Dunning. Despite facing ups and downs due to injuries, the big right-hander emerged as an All-Star and Cy Young candidate during the 2021 division-winning campaign.
However, Chicago traded Lynn and Joe Kelly to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2023 trade deadline in return for pitching prospects Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure.
A knee injury kept the veteran on the sidelines for the initial nine weeks of the 2022 season. Lynn faced challenges during the first half of 2022 but delivered an outstanding performance in the latter two months. In his last 12 starts of the year, Lynn pitched 74 innings, tallying 75 strikeouts with a mere nine walks, resulting in an impressive 2.43 ERA. He finished the season with a 3.99 ERA.
Down But Not Out
However, there aren't many positives from Lynn's 2023 campaign. The back half of his 2022 season didn't carry over, and he struggled right out of the gate. His ERA sat below six only once after his first start of the season. The lone bright spot of his 2023 season was a seven-inning 16, strikeout performance in June against the Seattle Mariners.
The 37-year-old successfully avoided the injured list in 2023 but endured a challenging season with the White Sox. Lynn posted a 6.47 ERA and yielded 28 home runs before being traded to Los Angeles. Although he saw improvement, partly attributed to the Dodgers' stellar defense, his long-ball issues persisted. Lynn conceded a staggering 44 home runs over 183.2 innings.
Final Grade: F
Now, he's returning to the St. Louis Cardinals, where his career began, after signing a one-year deal with an option for 2025. Lynn previously pitched for Tony La Russa, the two-time former White Sox skipper, in St. Louis and earned an All-Star selection during the Cardinals' 2012 National League Pennant-winning season.
What's On Tap Next?
The Cardinals, who, much like the White Sox, are in a rebuilding phase for their rotation, will turn to Lynn as a reliable innings eater.
Lynn strengthened the White Sox pitching staff, contributing to their division title in 2021, and endeared himself to fans with his spirited personality on the South Side. In the twilight of his career, he finds himself in St. Louis, primarily focusing on providing innings rather than delivering peak performance.
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