Free agent pitcher Seth Lugo signs with the Royals
The Kansas City Royals have added to their pitching staff, agreeing to a deal with right-hander Seth Lugo, per Anne Rogers and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Lugo’s deal is for three years, $45 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Robert Murray of FanSided added that the last year of the deal is a $15 million play option.
Lugo pitched for the San Diego Padres last season, starting out as a swingman to eventually becoming a full time starter. The role change was a success making 26 starts, which was the most since 2017 with the Mets, when he started 17 games.
Making the transition from the bullpen to the rotation isn’t always easy. However, Lugo was able to make that move. Facing the San Francisco Giants in his last start of the season, he put an exclamation point by throwing 123 pitches in 8 2/3 shutout innings.
“Proved to myself and other people around the league that I am capable of being a starter” Lugo said after his last start of the season.
The 34-year old compiled a 3.57 ERA/ 3.83 FIP with 140 strikeouts over a career high 146 1/3 frames. In 22 starts he went five-plus innings, 17 of those were quality starts. The Royals had only 32 quality starts last season, which was tied for last with the Oakland Athletics in the American League.
Lugo joins a staff that includes Brady Singer and Jordan Lyles. The Royals were 56-106 in 2023 as they look to continue their rebuild.
Follow Matt on Twitter @BSTRONG415
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.