The Kansas City Royals have indicated to other MLB teams that any trade involving pitcher Seth Lugo would likely require acquiring controllable outfield talent in return, according to reports by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Although trade discussions have surfaced, the Royals have not yet committed to moving Lugo, as they hope to retain the 35-year-old pitcher for at least another season.

Rosenthal further explained that if Lugo opts out of his $15 million player option for 2026 and enters free agency, the Royals not only would extend a qualifying offer but also remain confident in their chances of re-signing him. This stance highlights their desire to keep Lugo’s presence in the rotation while balancing the need for better outfield depth.

Rotation Challenges Highlight Importance of Lugo and Outfield Improvements

The Royals are currently short-handed in their pitching rotation, missing key contributors Michael Lorenzen and Cole Ragans. To fill gaps, they recently started 45-year-old Rich Hill, underscoring concerns about the team’s pitching depth. Lugo’s strong performance—a 2.94 ERA and 1.093 WHIP over 18 starts and 107 innings—makes him a vital part of the rotation. Trading him would test the limits of an already thin staff.

Offensively, the Royals’ outfield ranks poorly, positioned just above the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Colorado Rockies in WAR (1.1 WAR according to FanGraphs). Given the team‘s 4.5-game deficit behind the last AL Wild Card spot, bolstering the outfield has become a priority as the postseason race intensifies.

Potential Trade Targets and Prospects at Stake to Upgrade the Outfield

Outfielder John Rave, despite early struggles at the plate during his rookie season, has shown recent offensive improvement. However, general manager J.J. Picollo may still pursue additional outfield reinforcements to elevate the team’s playoff chances. Rosenthal previously reported interest in Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, but stated that a trade between Kansas City and Pittsburgh is unlikely due to similar offensive needs within both teams.

Meanwhile, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran represents an appealing option. Yet, acquiring Duran might require the Royals to part with valuable prospects, potentially including top catching talents Blake Mitchell, Carter Jensen, or Ramon Ramirez. Taking on Lugo’s possibly expiring contract would demand enticing incentives for the Red Sox to finalize a deal.

Trade Deadline Looms as Royals Evaluate Lugo’s Role and Team’s Direction

Sources such as Jim Bowden of The Athletic have suggested that trading prospects like Mitchell, Jensen, or Ramirez might become necessary for Kansas City to improve its outfield at the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Royals’ performance in the final seven games before this deadline, particularly from Rave and other outfielders, will heavily influence whether Lugo remains with the franchise for the rest of the 2025 season.

This delicate balancing act between maintaining solid pitching and addressing offensive weaknesses frames the Royals’ strategy heading into the critical stretch. Their ability to navigate trade talks effectively could determine their postseason prospects and the long-term makeup of their roster.