Seth Lugo, the Kansas City Royals right-hander, has turned what appeared to be his final start with the team into the beginning of an extended tenure. Fresh off signing a new contract extension, Lugo is set to lead the Royals in a crucial series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night. This extension ends trade rumors surrounding him as the deadline approaches, solidifying his role as a key pitcher for Kansas City.
The 35-year-old Lugo agreed to a two-year, $46 million contract extension beyond this season, marking his second contract with the Royals. Before the deal, Lugo had been linked to possible trades due to the Royals’ needs and his strong performance. Coming into the game against right-hander Erick Fedde and the Braves, Lugo carries a 7-5 record and an impressive 2.95 ERA for the season.
Executive Confidence in Lugo’s Value to the Royals
J.J. Picollo, Royals’ executive vice president and general manager, expressed strong confidence in the decision to retain Lugo.
“Seth made it very apparent that he wanted to be here,”
Picollo noted, emphasizing Lugo’s commitment to the franchise.
He added,
“I do feel very confident that we would have not found somebody that had a couple of years’ control, was a runner-up Cy Young Award winner, All-Star, Gold Glover. … I don’t think we’re finding that type of talent in the trade market.”
Lugo’s unique combination of talent and contract control made him invaluable as the Royals look to build competitive pitching depth.
Lugo’s Recent Dominance and Role Moving Forward
In 2024, Lugo has been one of the Royals’ most consistent starters, recording 16 wins and 11 quality starts so far. His latest outing came in an 8-4 victory against the Chicago Cubs, where he pitched six innings, allowed two runs on four hits, and struck out six. With the trade cloud lifted, Lugo now faces the Braves without distractions, aiming to inspire the Royals to pivotal wins.
Lugo also addressed the rumors publicly:
“Rumors that come up over the past month, I wanted to be here next year,”
he said.
“We’ve got to show up every day, and it’s something we shouldn’t take lightly.”
His dedication is viewed as central to the Royals’ pitching strategy, especially after the announcement that All-Star Kris Bubic, a key pitcher, will miss the remainder of the season with a strained rotator cuff.
Upcoming Challenge Against Braves Reflects Past Success
The Royals will rely on Lugo to help rebound after a difficult game on Monday, where they set a franchise record by issuing 14 walks in a 10-7 loss to the Braves, who ended a five-game losing streak. Lugo’s past performances against Atlanta give the Royals hope: in 29 career appearances versus the Braves, he boasts a 4-0 record and an exceptional 1.29 ERA in five starts.
On the Braves’ side, Erick Fedde will take the mound with a 3-10 record and a 5.22 ERA. Fedde joined Atlanta after being designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Despite struggles in his previous five starts, where he allowed 26 runs and 33 hits including eight homers, Fedde remains a potential asset to the Braves’ depleted rotation.
Fedde spoke candidly about his fluctuating career:
“I’ve had highs and lows in this game, and I’m just trying to be professional, show up every day and give it my best,”
he shared with MLB.com.
Notably, Fedde has performed well against Kansas City in the past. In two starts last season with the Chicago White Sox against the Royals, he allowed only one run across 10 2/3 innings, a strong historical matchup advantage for Atlanta’s pitcher.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
Kansas City’s Maikel Garcia enters this matchup with a modest personal record against Fedde, going 0-for-3, yet he is enjoying a hot streak overall, batting .423 with five RBIs in his last seven games. The Braves’ offense will lean heavily on stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Marcell Ozuna, both having homered in the recent game against the Royals. Acuna carries a 6-for-12 hitting record against Lugo, demonstrating his threat level, while Ozuna has struggled somewhat with a 1-for-11 mark and five strikeouts, despite trade rumors surrounding him.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Lugo’s Extended Role
Seth Lugo’s new contract extension represents a strategic move for the Royals as they seek to build a stronger, more consistent pitching staff amid injuries and roster changes. His experience and past success against the Braves position him as a key factor in upcoming series crucial to Kansas City’s playoff hopes. As the season progresses and the trade deadline passes, Lugo’s ability to lead the pitching staff without the distraction of trade speculation will be vital for the Royals.