Royals and former All-Star pitcher Seth Lugo finalizing contract extension

One of Major League Baseball’s top trade candidates is officially off the table.

The Kansas City Royals are finalizing a multi-year contract extension with former All-Star right-hander Seth Lugo, per Jeff Passan.

Lugo, 35, was set to hit the open market in the offseason and was heavily involved in trade rumors.

The big veteran has put together another quality season for the Royals, posting a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 19 starts.

Teams that have had interest in Lugo, like the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs, will have to shift their attention elsewhere.

The 2024 All-Star was dominant last season, going 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 206.2 innings.

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Lugo led the Royals to the postseason for the first time since 2015, when the franchise won its second World Series championship.

Kansas City is eight-and-a-half games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League Central and four games back from the third AL Wild Card spot.

Even if the Royals miss the postseason, they’ve extended one of the most consistent starting pitchers over the past three seasons.

Though on the outside looking in, this move may spark the Royals. Kansas City has had a disappointing season thus far, but there is plenty of baseball to be played.

While this move indicates Lugo is safe from being traded, it remains to be seen if the Royals will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.

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