The Kansas City Royals have spent the last year and a half trying to do things the right way. They’ve trimmed payroll, committed to developing pitching and have embraced their veterans.
Suddenly, the organization feels like it’s pointed in the right direction. They’re not there yet, but the plan is visible. But now they’re at a turning point.
35-year-old righty Seth Lugo has been exactly what they hoped for. Durable, consistent, and quietly one of the better arms in the league.
His ERA has hovered in the mid-3s all year. Despite an dynamic repertoire, Lugo doesn’t light up the radar gun – only hitting around 90 mph. That said, he’s crafty and seasoned enough to bolster a club’s chances in October.
That kind of production, especially on a reasonable contract, has real value in July. And in a market that’s light on starting pitching, Lugo becomes even more attractive to contenders.
Royals seriously considering moving him
Holding onto Lugo in hopes of chasing a wild-card spot doesn’t match where this team really is. They’ve hung around .500, but the offense has been unreliable. Outside of Bobby Witt Jr., the lineup has been streaky.
Vinnie Pasquantino’s had flashes but hasn’t found consistency. MJ Melendez still isn’t making enough contact. The bullpen has had its ups and downs. The rotation has done most of the heavy lifting, and that’s not a formula that usually holds up for six months.
If the Royals stand pat and miss the playoffs, they risk losing Lugo for nothing in the offseason. And for a team trying to build something long-term, that would be a missed opportunity.
Why It Works
A deal could bring back a young, controllable bat. Maybe a reliever who helps right away. Maybe a starter with upside who needs a change of scenery. These aren’t blockbuster names, but they’re the kind of pieces that add up and pay off over time. That’s how sustainable rosters are built.
And if Lugo really enjoyed his time in Kansas City? Nothing stops them from trying to bring him back in free agency. Trading him now doesn’t close the door. If anything, it could open it a little wider. A clean, respectful exit might strengthen the relationship for the future.
Letting him walk without getting anything in return, though, would be a step back. And not just for 2025. It would undercut the kind of long-view strategy this front office has spent the last 18 months trying to build.
The Royals aren’t in a bad spot. But they’re not in a great one either. They’re in the middle. And that’s why this deadline matters more than it might seem. Trading Seth Lugo wouldn’t be an admission of failure. It would be a sign that Kansas City is ready to keep making hard decisions for the sake of the bigger picture.
In a few weeks, the Royals will have to decide what kind of team they want to be. If they want to be a serious one, trading Lugo makes financial sense before he commands a large contract in the 2026 offseason.
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