Latest news with #SethLugo
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Astros Listed As Landing Spot In Potential Trade For $45 Million Ace
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Houston Astros lost Ryan Pressly, Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman in the offseason, but it hasn't stopped them from placing themselves at the top of the American League standings. Ahead of the trade deadline, the Astros are going to need to add a starting pitcher in order to keep themselves among the AL's best down the dog days of the season. There are plenty of options on the board for Houston to pursue in the coming weeks. Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly recently suggested the Astros could be a landing spot in a huge trade for Kansas City Royals ace Seth Lugo in the coming weeks. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 03: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 03, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 03: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 03, 2025 in Seattle, Washington."With Framber Valdez set to become a free agent after the season, the Astros would probably be best served acquiring a controllable starter who's sure to be with them in 2026," Kelly wrote. "But even if Seth Lugo is likely to opt out of the final year of his three-year, $45 million deal after the season, last year's AL Cy Young Award runner-up is too good of a fit for the Astros to pass up. "And the small-budget Royals probably can't afford to just let him walk in the offseason, even if it comes after he declines a qualifying offer." Lugo is looked at as an expiring pitcher because it's very unlikely he opts into the option on his contract for 2026. Last season, the righty was a Cy Young contender in the AL and only lost out on the award because of Tarik Skubal's incredible season. This season, Lugo has been solid again. He's one of the top pitchers in the league, and he's done so quietly. The Astros could cut ties with a few top prospects to land Lugo before looking to sign him to a contract extension in the offseason. More MLB: Cubs Trade Rumors Reaching New Peak As $56 Million Ace Struggles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royals rumors: Rival teams ready to pounce on $45 million ace in trade
The post Royals rumors: Rival teams ready to pounce on $45 million ace in trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Kansas City Royals are having a season to forget, and one of their players is getting some attention from other clubs. Royals pitcher Seth Lugo is quickly becoming a hot trade candidate, per USA Today. Advertisement 'Teams are starting to closely scout Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.65 ERA), believing that if they are out of the race, he'll definitely be placed on the trade block,' Bob Nightengale wrote. 'Lugo, in the middle of a three-year, $45 million contract, has an opt-out after this season that he'd likely exercise instead of returning for $15 million in 2026.' Kansas City is having a tough season offensively. The team is near the bottom of Major League Baseball in most hitting categories, including home runs. The Royals have mustered just 61 home runs this season, tied for last in the league with Pittsburgh. The Royals are 42-48 in the American League Central this campaign. The MLB trade deadline is July 31. The Royals could have several suitors for Seth Lugo The Royals starter is having a memorable campaign. He has allowed just three earned runs in his last five game appearances. He has also posted 33 strikeouts in that span. Advertisement Lugo's poise on the mound this season is surely to attract several teams. One team desperately wanting to find another starter is the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have aggressively pursued Pittsburgh Pirates hurler Mitch Keller, but talks have hit some obstacles. Another club looking for help is the New York Yankees, who are spiraling right now. The Yankees have been dealt a lot of injuries this season to their pitching staff. Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are out for the year. New York is desperately trying to salvage the situation. The Yankees got a close look at Lugo in a recent game against the Royals. Lugo started for Kansas City against the Bronx Bombers on June 12. He pitched five plus innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs. Time will tell if Lugo ends up leaving Kansas City. The Royals play the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon, to close a three-game series. Related: Royals' Cole Ragans receives 'positive MRI results' Related: Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. outduels Cal Raleigh on home base slide
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers Trade Idea Royals' Seth Lugo at MLB Trade Deadline
Dodgers Trade Idea Royals' Seth Lugo at MLB Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The injuries just keep piling up for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and it's an important situation for the front office to evaluate. Advertisement Despite the Dodgers having the most expensive team in baseball, arguably being the best team Major League Baseball has ever seen on paper, and much more, it's impossible to ask them to win a World Series if they continue to deal with the injuries they have on the mound. Sure, the Dodgers found a way to do that a year ago, but baseball is tough, so who knows what could happen? As Los Angeles looks to improve its roster heading into the deadline, many have suggested that the Dodgers will be interested in adding an arm or two. When looking at potential options, The Athletic recently named veteran Seth Lugo as a realistic trade candidate for them. Advertisement Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided updates on Mookie Betts and the latest roster Heitman-Imagn Images 'Lugo had a breakout season in 2024, pitching more than 200 innings with a 3.00 ERA and finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting. Now 35, his surface-level numbers are almost identical this year. The pitch and batted ball data suggest he's not been as good as a year ago, but Lugo has remained plenty effective. He has a player option for 2026 he's unlikely to exercise barring injury, meaning the right-hander should be considered a rental,' they wrote. The Kansas City Royals are expected to sell some at the deadline, and considering that Lugo can be a free agent at the end of the year, it wouldn't be surprising to see them do so. How much the Royals want to sell remains uncertain, but Lugo should be available. Related: Dodgers Not Expected to Pursue Future Hall of Fame Third Baseman This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Insiders Advocate Cubs Pursue Royals' $38 Million Pitcher at Trade Deadline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chicago Cubs are going to be adding starting pitching at the trade deadline, and they are looking at a variety of options. There will be a lot of options for the Cubs to choose from, and Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman and Chad Jennings from The Athletic see a connection between the Cubs and Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 08: Starting pitcher Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the third inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Kauffman Stadium on July 08, 2025... KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 08: Starting pitcher Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the third inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Kauffman Stadium on July 08, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. More"Lugo had a breakout season in 2024, pitching more than 200 innings with a 3.00 ERA and finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting," they wrote. "Now 35, his surface-level numbers are almost identical this year. The pitch and batted ball data suggest he's not been as good as a year ago, but Lugo has remained plenty effective. He has a player option for 2026 he's unlikely to exercise barring injury, meaning the right-hander should be considered a rental." The last part there is the key to the Cubs pursuing Lugo. If he's considered a rental, that means Chicago won't have to send as much back to Kansas City. This could, in turn, then help the Cubs add even more at the deadline. Lugo's advanced metrics will draw some concerns, but Jed Hoyer is going to be more concerned about his ability to help the team win games. He's giving the Royals a chance to win every time he takes the mound, and that is what the Cubs will want from him. Chicago was listed as one of three fits for Lugo with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres also on the table. If the Royals fall even farther out of the playoff race, expect Lugo to be dealt. More MLB: Phillies Mock Trade Deals Top Pitching Prospect for Pair of Marlins Relievers
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs, Dodgers are best trade fits for Cy Young runner-up
The MLB trade deadline is always an interesting time for the teams at the top of the standings, because they're often competing to deal for the same players. That's the spot the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in. Advertisement Both could use a starting pitcher, and there aren't a ton out there. One guy who might be available is Royals righty Seth Lugo. The Athletic ranks him as the best pitcher on the market after he finished second in AL Cy Young voting last year. "Lugo had a breakout season in 2024, pitching more than 200 innings with a 3.00 ERA and finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting," The Athletic writes. "Now 35, his surface-level numbers are almost identical this year. The pitch and batted ball data suggest he's not been as good as a year ago, but Lugo has remained plenty effective. He has a player option for 2026 he's unlikely to exercise barring injury, meaning the right-hander should be considered a rental." MORE: Dallas Keuchel is attempting an MLB comeback Advertisement Lugo is also listed as a fit for the Padres, who are always active in the trade market. Given that Lugo probably only would stick around for a few months, his cost shouldn't be too steep. It could come down to a matter of Royals preference, whether they like the prospects offered by Chicago or L.A. better. But one of the NL's best teams will get better if they can pull off a trade for Lugo. MORE MLB NEWS:
