The Chicago Cubs are actively targeting right-hander Seth Lugo from the Kansas City Royals as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, aiming to improve their postseason rotation. With their lineup performing strongly and a spot in Wild Card contention, Chicago needs a dependable mid-rotation pitcher to solidify late-season success, making Lugo an attractive acquisition given his consistent sub-3.00 ERA performances over recent years.

Kansas City, having fallen below .500 this season, appears poised to embrace a rebuild strategy, using Lugo’s player option after 2025 as leverage in trade negotiations. This potential deal offers both clubs a strategic benefit as Chicago bolsters its pitching staff, while the Royals gain promising young talent for the future.

What Seth Lugo Brings to the Cubs’ Rotation

Lugo’s track record over the last six seasons shows remarkable consistency, posting sub-3.00 ERAs in five of those years and ranking among MLB leaders in limiting hard contact and stranding runners. This skill set makes him an ideal candidate for the Cubs to fill the No. 3 starter spot, providing versatility and stability to the rotation. His presence is also expected to help manage bullpen workloads by extending his starts deeper into games.

Contract-wise, Lugo carries a player option after the 2025 season, which may restrict Chicago’s long-term hold but keeps his salary manageable for the remainder of this season’s playoff run. This balance of affordability and proven performance fits the Cubs’ immediate goals.

“I’m unsure whether Lugo is available. He’s more expensive, but his prorated salary would be stomachable, and he brings familiarity while having a 2.94 ERA. Expected numbers aren’t enjoying Lugo this year as his contact quality has gotten rough.” —Danny, Baseball Analyst

Royals Seek to Acquire Top Prospects for Future Success

The Royals, acknowledging the limited chance of retaining Lugo beyond 2025, are motivated to trade him for high-upside young talent to accelerate their rebuild. The mock trade envisions Kansas City receiving two significant prospects—a promising pitcher and a versatile position player—to strengthen their farm system depth.

Pitching Prospect Brandon Birdsell: A Key Component for Kansas City

Brandon Birdsell, a right-handed pitcher drafted in the fifth round by the Cubs in 2022 out of Texas Tech, stands out as a valuable addition for the Royals. At 25 years old, Birdsell earned the Cubs’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2024 after compiling a 3.91 ERA and 134 strikeouts across Double-A and Triple-A levels.

Although not overpowering, Birdsell’s fastball sits in the low 90s mph range, coupled with a solid curveball and slider combination, making his advanced command a strength. He specializes in inducing soft contact and effective pitch sequencing. After a slow start in 2025 due to a lat injury, Birdsell has rebounded with a 2.55 ERA over 17⅔ innings at Triple-A, positioning himself as a reliable arm with potential as a back-end starter or long reliever for Kansas City.

“Brandon Birdsell struck out Byron Buxton on 4 pitches twice tonight (Buxton got tossed after the second at bat for arguing a pitch clock violation not shown here).” —Brad, Baseball Enthusiast

Shortstop Ronny Cruz Offers Long-Term Potential for the Royals

Ronny Cruz, Chicago’s third-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft from Miami Christian High School, rounds out the package heading to Kansas City. The 18-year-old shortstop has quickly risen in the Cubs’ prospect rankings due to his athleticism, raw power, and bat speed, showing potential for a 20–25 home run trajectory in his career.

Currently playing in the Arizona Complex League, Cruz slashes .265/.311/.434, demonstrating strong contact skills complemented by plus defensive tools. His arm strength and fielding project him as a future regular on the left side of the infield. Though still several years from the majors, Cruz’s development curve suggests he could become an everyday contributor if he continues progressing.

“Middle infielder Ronny Cruz has been stepping up his game recently both at the plate and in the field. Ronny was a 3rd round pick in the 2024 draft and is making good strides in the Arizona Complex League.” —Rich Biesterfeld, Prospect Analyst

Strategic Benefits for Both Teams in This Trade

• Cubs: By acquiring Lugo, Chicago strengthens a rotation in need of consistency, complementing an already potent offense and potentially reducing the strain on their bullpen during critical late-season games.
• Royals: Trading Lugo enables Kansas City to receive two controllable, promising prospects that align with their rebuilding timeline, focusing on long-term team value rather than short-term rentals.

This deal is not a blockbuster but represents a balanced and intelligent move for both clubs. The Cubs address their immediate pitching needs without sacrificing their top prospects, while the Royals capitalize on a veteran likely to test free agency soon. The alignment of these teams’ goals enhances their respective competitive windows, with Chicago vying for postseason positioning and Kansas City rebuilding toward future success.