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With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, there are bound to be more than a handful of players traded away. One of the players who’s most likely going to end up on the trade block is Kansas City Royals ace Seth Lugo.
Lugo is in the final year of his contract, but he does have a $15 million player option for next season. Considering how well the righty has pitched, it should be expected that he declines the option, effectively making him a rental on the trade market.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently called the Los Angeles Dodgers one of the best fits in a potential deal for Lugo. Passan also listed an 80 percent chance that Lugo is dealt.
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“Lugo has posted mid-3.00s or lower ERAs for five seasons despite having below-average fastball velocity and good-not-great strikeout rates,” Passan wrote. “His ability to strand runners and limit hard contact comes in part thanks to his nine different pitches. With a Nathan Eovaldi-type contract awaiting Lugo in free agency, Kansas City could opt to move him, especially if Cole Ragans’ injured shoulder doesn’t improve.”
The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been destroyed by injuries over the last few months. Although players like Blake Snell are working their way back to the big leagues, the Dodgers need to add on, and Lugo is the perfect option.
The veteran righty has pitched to a sub-3.00 ERA in 18 starts this year. That has him worth 2.9 WAR on the campaign.
Adding him to the Dodgers’ rotation would give manager Dave Roberts a reliable veteran who can chew up starts over the next few months. Lugo could be a staple in the postseason rotation, too. He would be a huge pickup for the Dodgers, and it likely wouldn’t cost a king’s ransom.
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