Lance Lynn, White Sox Agree to 2-Year, $38M Contract Extension

Rather than wait to see what the free-agent market presented this offseason, Lance Lynn decided to sign a midseason extension with the Chicago White Sox.

The team announced Saturday that the two-time All-Star agreed to a two-year, $38 million contract with a club option for 2024.

The White Sox acquired Lynn in a December trade with the Texas Rangers. He had transformed himself into one of the best pitchers in the American League during his two seasons with the Rangers.

Lynn finished in the top six in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2019 and 2020. The right-hander led all pitchers with 84 innings last season. He posted a 3.57 ERA with 335 strikeouts and 1.17 WHIP in 292.1 innings over 46 starts with Texas.

As a member of the White Sox, Lynn has gotten better. The 34-year-old leads the AL with a 1.99 ERA and has 105 strikeouts over 90.2 innings in 16 starts. He was named to an All-Star team for the second time and first since 2012. 

Lynn has been instrumental in Chicago's rise to the top of the AL Central. The White Sox have the largest division lead (eight games) in MLB, and their 54-36 record ranks third in the AL, just one game behind the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox (56-36).

Chicago is in prime position to be among the best teams in MLB for years to come. Lynn's new deal leaves Carlos Rodon and Leury Garcia as the only regular contributors on the 26-man roster eligible for free agency after this season.