As Major League Baseball enters its busiest month with the MLB Draft and All-Star Game looming, the trade market is poised to intensify before the July 31 trade deadline. With postseason races tightening in both leagues, teams are actively seeking pitching reinforcements, and Seth Lugo has emerged as a potential top rental ace this summer.
The Kansas City Royals, currently five games behind the final wild-card spot, still hold some hope of making the playoffs, although their postseason chances are narrowing with multiple teams ahead. Despite this, Kansas City possesses an asset in Seth Lugo that could attract significant interest if the Royals decide to trade him before the deadline.
This season, Lugo is on pace to replicate or even surpass his outstanding 2024 campaign when he finished as a Cy Young runner-up with a 3.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a .227 batting average against. Through 16 starts in 2025, he has improved those numbers, posting a 2.65 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a .214 average against hitters.
“Seth Lugo’s last 7 starts:38.1 IP2.11 ERA1.10 WHIP41 K | 15 BBThe 35-year-old has been nothing short of excellent since signing with Kansas City pic.twitter.com/2RxR3qY2rV” — Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media)
At age 35, Lugo is delivering ace-level performance, but his player option for 2026 leaves his long-term future with the Royals uncertain. This situation could prompt general manager J.J. Picollo and his team to leverage Lugo’s value and potentially execute a trade, especially given the limited window to contend this year.
If the Royals decide to trade Lugo, he would immediately stand out as one of the most attractive rental pitchers available, capable of giving contending teams a high-caliber boost for the stretch run.
Examining Lugo’s Standing Among Available Pitching Aces
Lugo’s strong statistics this season place him firmly among the elite arms in the league. Ranking 13th in ERA, tied for 16th in WHIP, and tied for 14th in batting average against, few pitchers available as rentals boast such a well-rounded profile.
The pool of genuine rental aces on the trade market is limited, and available options often come with uncertainties or diminished performance. Several highly regarded pitchers rumored as trade candidates either have multi-year contract control remaining or are entrenched on playoff-bound teams, reducing their rental availability.
For instance, Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros was heavily discussed during the offseason following the trade of Kyle Tucker, fueling speculation about his potential availability. However, with Houston leading the AL West by 6.5 games and holding a 55-36 record, the Astros appear unlikely to sell off top assets like Valdez. He currently maintains a sub-3.00 ERA but is effectively off the rental market.
Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres also drew trade rumors amid the team’s financial challenges and payroll constraints. Despite this, the Padres remain close to playoff contention, sitting at 48-42, just one game behind the final National League wild-card spot. Cease’s performance this season, with a 4.62 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 18 starts, is well below ace standards, reducing his immediate trade appeal as a rental ace.
Similarly, Arizona’s Zac Gallen, who resumed the role of the team’s top starter after Corbin Burnes suffered a season-ending Tommy John surgery, remains part of a team still within striking distance of a wild-card berth. Through 18 starts, Gallen’s numbers include a 5.15 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, which do not align with expectations for a high-impact rental pitcher.
Contrast with Other Potential Trade Candidates
Some pitchers with impressive pedigrees, such as Sandy Alcantara, might be highly desired by contenders, but they are not rental options given Alcantara’s remaining contract length and club option for 2027. Added to that, Alcantara’s return from Tommy John surgery this year has been mixed, creating risk for acquiring teams.
In a different category altogether is Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a highly touted young talent and potential NL Cy Young frontrunner. However, trade scenarios involving Skenes remain speculative at best, and his multi-year control makes him an expensive, longer-term acquisition rather than a rental.
Highlighting these examples underscores why rental pitchers like Lugo, who offer immediate impact without a long-term financial commitment, provide substantial value for teams looking to make a playoff push without mortgaging the future.
What Makes Seth Lugo the Most Attractive Rental Option This Trade Season?
Among the confirmed rental aces, Lugo’s combination of performance and availability is rare. If the Royals decide to enter the market, Lugo could lead the list of rental pitchers, offering a blend of experience, effectiveness, and short-term contractual flexibility that few others can match this season.
His consistent ability to limit runs, control walks, and strike out batters while maintaining a low batting average against makes him an influential arm for teams needing immediate pitching upgrades.
The main uncertainty revolves around Kansas City’s willingness to trade him. Should GM J.J. Picollo opt to keep Lugo for a playoff run, teams seeking his services will have to look elsewhere.
However, if the Royals choose to capitalize on his value and make Lugo available, he could quickly become the centerpiece of the trade market and the most sought-after rental ace helping to shape late-season roster moves.