White Sox sign Lance Lynn to two-year, $38 million extension with club option for 2024

The White Sox have signed All-Star starting pitcher Lance Lynn to a two-year, $38 million contract extension, per a club announcement on Saturday. The deal contains an $18 million club option for 2024 with a $1 million buyout.

Lynn has been a solid rotation option for the large majority of his 10-season career (he missed all of 2016 following Tommy John surgery), but he’s really taken his performance to another level since 2019. He posted a combined 3.57 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over two seasons with the Rangers from 2019-20, and after being traded to the White Sox this offseason, he’s arguably been the best pitcher in the American League, throwing for a 1.99 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP, 105 strikeouts, and 31 walks over 16 starts (90.2 innings).

While injuries and poor performance can always complicate things, the White Sox now have a very good rotation core signed for the long haul. Lynn, Dallas Keuchel, and Lucas Giolito are now all under club control through at least 2023, while Dylan Cease won’t even hit arbitration until after the 2022 season.

Lynn, 34, foregoes his ability to test free agency this offseason but gets a pretty good deal for a pitcher in his 30s who’s previously undergone Tommy John. The Indianapolis native gets a chance to stay in the Midwest, where he’s spent the majority of his career.