Houston Astros mentioned as top fit for Royals pitcher

It is that time of year where rumors of trades start to fly. Who will buy and who will sell at the July 31 trade deadline? It is a decision every team will have to make in the coming days and weeks.

For the Houston Astros, the decision may be a tricky one, but with the Astros recent hot streak, it could motivate them to buy at the deadline and in an attempt to become a World Series frontrunner. The Astros currently sit at 45-33 and tied for second in the AL with the Yankees.

In an ESPN article from Kiley McDaniel, McDaniel ranked the top 50 trade candidates for this season’s deadline. At No. 6, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo was named as a candidate with Houston listed as one of the best places for Lugo to be traded to. 

“Lugo has posted mid-3.00s or lower ERAs for five seasons despite having below-average fastball velocity and good-not-great strikeout rates. His ability to strand runners and limit hard contact comes in part due 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,” McDaniel wrote.

Despite having a 4-5 record this season, Lugo has posted a 2.93 ERA and struck out 68 batters. On top of that, he has been on fire of late. In four starts in the month of June, Lugo has given up just four runs, including shutting out the Yankees for 5.2 innings.

If Houston were to land Lugo, the Astros pitching staff would become even more threatening to the rest of the AL.