Is It Time To DFA Lance Lynn?

Somehow, someway the Chicago White Sox are within 3.5 games of first place. They have a legitimate chance at winning the division and making it into the playoffs. Now, chances are they won’t go very far, but if they add some pieces at the deadline, you never know.

Since they are so close to first, they need to have the best 26 men on the roster at all times. Lance Lynn has been the main weak spot in the rotation, as he has a 6.55 ERA. If they are serious about winning, it may be time to find his replacement.

Weak Spot In The Rotation

Lance Lynn was absolutely phenomenal for the White Sox in 2021, as he made it to the all-star game and had a 2.69 ERA. This prompted the White Sox to sign him to a three-year extension, as they felt that he could anchor their rotation for the duration of that contract. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Last year Lynn was hurt to start the year and when he returned, he started off very slow. He got a bit better as the season went on, but he still had an ERA around 4, which is not what you want out of one of your “aces.” Many chalked that season up to injury and figured he would bounce back this year, but this year has been even worse.

Lynn pitched very well in the World Baseball Classic, but he was not able to translate that into the regular season. Lynn has a 6.55 ERA to go along with a 1.562 WHIP. Not great for someone who is supposed to be the number two in your rotation.

It seems like every time the White Sox go out and get the lead, Lynn gives it right back the next inning. That has happened in many of his starts, but it was on display yesterday.

In the second inning, Jake Burger puts the Sox up 2-0 with a two-run shot. Then, in the next inning, Lynn gives the two right back. In the next inning, Robert and Moncada both hit homers and put the Sox up 4-2. Lynn goes back out and gives up the lead and it is tied 4-4. This should not be happening.

For a seasoned veteran, this can’t happen, especially when your offense can be very streaky. For a top-of-the-rotation guy, once you get the lead you need to go out there and protect that lead and do everything you can to give the team the chance to win. Lynn simply has not done that this year.

Advanced Metrics Don’t Look Good

Now, ERA is not an all-encompassing stat. Sometimes bad luck can come into play. But for Lynn, the advanced metrics are not friendly to him either.

Per Baseball Savant, he ranks among the worst in the league in expected batting average and slugging, hard hit percentage, barrel percentage, and expected ERA. To make matters worse, he has one of the slowest fastballs in the league. For a fastball pitcher, this isn’t good.

Lynn has had a great career. He has been very successful for a long time, but this year it seems things have changed. He still has a passion for the game, but the results aren’t the same. If he is holding the team back, it might be time to let him go.

The only problem with DFA’ing him would be the replacement. Davis Martin is out for the year with Tommy John, so there is no immediate name to step in and pitch every five days. Jesse Scholtens has pitched very well, but it has been a relatively small sample size. If this streak from Lynn continues, the Sox should look to upgrade his spot in the rotation.

I am rooting for Lynn, and it looked like he had fixed things for a couple of starts, but it seems he doesn’t have the same stuff that he had when he was at his best. I hope he can turn it around, but if he can’t the Sox need to explore other options.