Multiple MLB Teams Pursue Royals’ Seth Lugo Trade Ahead Deadline

Seth Lugo, the versatile right-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, has emerged as one of the most sought-after trade targets ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline due to his consistent performance and unique skill set featuring nine different pitches. Despite his below-average velocity, Lugo maintains a sub-3.00 ERA and effectively limits hard contact, making him attractive to contenders like the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and others looking to bolster their starting rotations for playoff runs. The Royals, facing uncertainty with Cole Ragans' injury and aiming to build around their core, are considering trading Lugo for controllable assets, especially as Lugo heads toward free agency with a $15 million player option for 2026. The Cubs see Lugo as a potential key addition to address their inconsistent starting pitching, complementing Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga and enhancing their playoff prospects, though his age and contract cost are factors to weigh. Similarly, the Dodgers view Lugo as an upgrade over existing starters and a valuable insurance piece, with the front office preparing competitive trade offers to secure him without compromising their strong roster. Overall, Lugo's combination of reliability, pitch variety, and playoff readiness has made him one of the top pitchers on the market, sparking interest from multiple teams aiming to strengthen their bids for a championship.