Blue Jays predicted to acquire $45 million pitcher to bolster rotation

The Toronto Blue Jays are in a Wild Card spot and are expected to be buyers ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline.

One clear area of need for the Blue Jays is adding to the rotation and the bullpen, as pitching is the team’s biggest need. Ahead of the trade deadline, MLB analyst Nick Selbe of SI predicts Toronto will acquire starting pitcher Seth Lugo from the Kansas City Royals.

“Lugo doesn’t strike out a ton of hitters, but he hasn’t posted an ERA above 3.60 since 2020 and quietly finished second in AL Cy Young voting last year while winning a Gold Glove to boot. The 35-year-old also fared well in two playoff starts last season,” Selbe wrote.

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"The converted reliever would improve just about any postseason rotation and the Royals may feel obliged to deal Lugo ahead of his looming free agency if MLB’s lowest-scoring offense doesn’t perk up in the coming weeks. Prediction: Traded to Blue Jays,” Selbe added.

Lugo signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Royals, but he does have a $15 million option for 2026, so he could be a free agent at year’s end. 

Lugo would be the Blue Jays' fourth or fifth starter and give the team depth behind Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, and Kevin Gausman. 

The 35-year-old is 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 14 starts this season. 

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