As the Los Angeles Dodgers were in need of starting pitching help during the weeks leading up to the August 1 trade deadline, they fortified their rotation by acquiring Lance Lynn as part of a trade with the Chicago White Sox.
Lynn was in the midst of a subpar season but at the very least figured to provide the Dodgers with some length in outings and benefit from the organization’s pitching coaches. The veteran right-hander initially improved before experiencing some regression to finish out the 2023 season.
Despite his struggles, Lynn was the Dodgers’ choice to start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series as they faced elimination against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Lynn surrendered four home runs and pitched just 2.2 innings in the Dodgers’ 4-2 loss. The Diamondbacks became the first team in MLB history to hit four home runs in one inning of a postseason game.
“I got behind in counts and they made me pay. Plain and simple,” Lynn said. “That’s what they’ve been doing all series.”
Dodgers starting pitchers combined for just 4.2 innings and allowed 13 runs on 16 hits.
“Their approach, things like that, they weren’t missing mistakes. They’re a hot team, they’re in a good rhythm, they’re throwing the ball well, they’re playing good defense,” Lynn added. “They were just better than us this series.”
Although the night — and season — ended in disappointment for Lynn at the Dodgers, the 36-year-old appreciated his opportunity to be part of a postseason contender.
“Whenever you don’t end playing the last game of the year on the winning side, it always sucks. All together, I enjoyed being a part of this team,” Lynn said. “I wish we could’ve gone deeper and done what we were capable of.
“We just didn’t play well this series.”
Dodgers option with Lance Lynn
Lynn waived a limited no-trade clause to join the Dodgers and now awaits their decision on his future. The Dodgers hold an $18 million team option for 2024, but could decline and instead pay Lynn a $1 million buyout.
That figures to be their likely approach, and re-signing Lynn under more team-friendly terms could then be explored as starting pitching is among the Dodgers’ roster needs for the 2024 season.
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