MLB free agency: Phillies have had recent contact with Lance Lynn

The Philadelphia Phillies have reached out to free agent Lance Lynn’s agents as they continue to toy with adding a starting pitcher, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. The sides are not close to a deal at this time, but the Phillies have now made contact with both Lynn and top free agent starter Jake Arrieta in recent weeks, suggesting the team is looking to add starting pitching help.

Lynn, 30, has remained set in his desired earnings for his next contract, and remains unsigned with Opening Day under a month away. The Phillies could be checking in to see if Lynn’s asking price has dropped, though signing the right-hander would mean a loss of the Phillies’ second-highest draft pick due to Lynn rejecting the Cardinals’ qualifying offer, as noted by MLB Trade Rumors.

Still, the Phillies have shown they are willing to start spending and expedite their current rebuild. They have already added free agents Carlos Santana and Pat Neshek, and reportedly contacted Arrieta about a potential three-year deal.

The Phillies’ starting rotation is loaded with question marks heading into the 2018 campaign. Outside of Aaron Nola, the rotation candidates consist of Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Ben Lively and Nick Pivetta. Lynn would provide a valuable veteran arm in an otherwise inexperienced pitching staff, as almost all of the remaining potential starters are 25 years or younger.

After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2016, Lynn tossed 186 ¹⁄₃ innings last season and finished with a respectable 3.43 ERA. However, his FIP, H/9, S0/9, HR/9 and BB/9 were all career worsts.