Dodgers Decline Ex-Cardinals Fan Favorite’s Club Option With Free Agency Looming..

Free agency is scheduled to start on Tuesday, which means the St. Louis Cardinals will have no shortage of former players with whom to maybe reconnect.

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More old acquaintances have entered the picture, including one of the most cherished Cardinals in recent memory, as player and club options are being turned down left and right.

The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reported on Friday that “the (Los Angeles) Dodgers have declined right-hander Lance Lynn’s $18 million club option for 2024.” “A $1 million buyout will be given to him. There remains a chance for the two parties to reconcile. This winter, the Dodgers are anticipated to be involved in the pitching market.”

Lynn most definitely fell short of the expectations for a 2023 compensation of $18 million. The 36-year-old pitched 183 2/3 innings last season between the Chicago White Sox and Dodgers, compiling a 5.73 ERA, 191 to 67 strikeout to walk ratio,.259 batting average against, and 1.39 WHIP.

In addition to being the most in Major League Baseball, the right-hander’s 44 home runs allowed in 2004 equaled Jamie Moyer of the Seattle Mariners for the sixth-highest total ever in a single season.

Lynn is not quite a front-line pitcher at this point, but he can still be considered an innings eater and record a decent number of strikeouts.

While it’s safe to say that Lynn is far down the Cardinals’ wish list as they look to add at least three impact starters this winter, not many would beg for it.