The Kansas City Royals have finalized a multi-year contract extension with right-handed pitcher Seth Lugo, removing a major potential trade asset from the market just as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Lugo, a standout performer who was an All-Star last season and finished as the American League Cy Young Award runner-up, had drawn significant interest from teams like the New York Yankees due to his strong performance and looming contract opt-out option.
With the extension now secured, the Royals have ensured Lugo will remain a core part of their rotation, dashing hopes for other teams to bolster their pitching staff with his acquisition.
Yankees’ pursuit of starting pitching faces major obstacle
The New York Yankees have endured a challenging season with key starters sidelined, including ace Gerrit Cole, as well as Luis Gil and Ryan Yarbrough recovering from injuries, and Clarke Schmidt ruled out for the year. This has left their starting rotation dangerously thin, heightening the appeal of Lugo as a trade candidate.
However, the Royals’ swift move to lock Lugo into a long-term deal now forces the Yankees to reevaluate their options and search for alternatives amid mounting pressure to strengthen their rotation before the late-July deadline.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the extension news, stating,
BREAKING: Right-hander Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals are finalizing a multiyear contract extension, sources tell ESPN. One of the best potential trade candidates this deadline season—and top free agent arms this winter—will instead remain in Kansas City.
—Jeff Passan, ESPN
Alternative pitching options emerge for Yankees
Following the loss of Lugo as a target, some analysts have highlighted other pitchers who could provide similar value to the Yankees’ rotation. Joseph Kallan of FanSided pointed to Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates as a promising alternative despite Keller’s 4–10 win-loss record this season.
Kallan emphasized Keller’s underlying performance by noting,
He owns a 3.53 ERA on the season, and he’s been red-hot in July with a 2.10 ERA this month,
—Joseph Kallan, FanSided
Keller’s six-pitch repertoire and one of the league’s most effective fastball run values could offer the Yankees the stability they urgently need amid ongoing injuries and uncertainty.
Yankees’ potential rotation and future outlook
Keller is currently signed to a five-year, $77 million contract with the Pirates, suggesting that any deal would be long-term rather than a short-term fix. Should key players like Yarbrough and Gil return to health, the Yankees could envision a rotation anchored by Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Mitch Keller, and Ryan Yarbrough going forward.
With Seth Lugo now off the table, the Yankees must act decisively to enhance their pitching staff as the trade deadline looms, balancing immediate needs with longer-term roster planning during a pivotal stretch of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Seth Lugo Wiki?
A. Jacob Seth Lugo, born on November 17, 1989, is a baseball pitcher from the United States. He plays for the Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Royals, he was part of the New York Mets and San Diego Padres teams. Lugo’s first appearance in an MLB game was in 2016.