Lynn, White Sox agree on two-year, $38 million contract extension
On Saturday, Lance Lynn posted another win without ever stepping foot on the mound.
With most attention focused on the July 30 trade deadline, Lynn and the White Sox quietly agreed to a deal that benefits both sides.
For Lynn, it's a two-year, $38 million contract extension that includes an $18 million club option for 2024.
Under terms of the deal, the all-star starting pitcher will receive $18.5 million in each of the next two seasons. If the Sox decline his 2024 option, Lynn gets a $1 million buyout.
"The big thing was knowing where you want to be," said Lynn, who was acquired from the Rangers in a December trade that sent young starter Dane Dunning to Texas. "There's no point in me going into free agency if you know where you want to be. We were able to talk. We both wanted to make a deal, so when that's the case it's easy. It's a no-brainer."
For the White Sox, they locked up a proven workhorse that is having a standout season.
Lynn is 9-3 and his 1.99 ERA leads the American League and is the lowest by a Sox starter in the first half of the season since Wilbur Wood (1.69) in 1971.
The veteran appeared in his second All-Star Game Tuesday night and pitched 1 scoreless inning at Coors Field in Denver.
"We are thrilled to be able to keep Lance in a White Sox uniform for the next several seasons," general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "He very quickly proved himself to be not only an all-star caliber addition to the front of our rotation but also the positive clubhouse presence that we envisioned at the time of the acquisition. We look forward to Lance continuing to be a big part of what we're hoping to accomplish not just in 2021 but now beyond."
Saturday's contract extension could carry the 34-year-old Lynn right into retirement.
If that is the case, he's found the ideal landing spot.
"When you start getting older in this game, you realize that where you want to play and where you want to be and what kind of organization you want to be a part of weighs a lot," Lynn said. "Over the first half of the season, just being able to see how everybody goes about their business here, the group that's here and the group that's going to be here for the next couple of years, it seemed like a pretty easy fit.
"And then when you started to play in front of these fans and enjoy it like I've been able to enjoy it, it was a no doubter. So we were able to make a deal and it was the best for both sides, I feel like."
Hahn is likely looking for help at second base, the bullpen and possibly catcher and right field as the trade deadline approaches.
The starting rotation has been a strength all season, and Lynn has been leading the way.
"He's going after you from the first pitch to the last one that he makes," White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. "Leader by example and vocal leader and everything."
Lynn makes his first start of the second half in Monday's doubleheader against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox have a big lead in the AL Central, but they're looking to turn it up even more down the stretch and be ready for October.
"I think being able to talk with Rick and the front office, this is where I wanted to be, they wanted to keep me here and to be wanted is an awesome feeling," Lynn said. "I'm really looking forward to pitching here for the next few years and doing everything I can to help this organization to achieve what they're setting out to do, and that's winning another championship.
"When I met (chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf) in spring training this year the first thing he said was, 'I'm looking to win another championship' and that's what I'm all about, trying to do everything I can to win. So I'm here to help try to do that."