Timing is everything in baseball — and for Seth Lugo, the timing in Queens never fit.
Once the New York Mets’ do-it-all bullpen workhorse, Lugo long believed he could do more. Turns out, he was right — just not in Flushing.
But in a full circle moment, Lugo – now anchoring Kansas City’s rotation – could find himself back where it all began. Bleacher Report, laying out deadline blueprints for World Series hopefuls, suggested the Mets acquire Lugo, along with left-handed reliever Daniel Lynch IV, in exchange for outfielder Carson Benge, New York’s No. 4 prospect.
It’s the kind of twist Mets fans know too well: a pitcher who didn’t get the shot he wanted, proving his worth somewhere else, only for the front office to consider paying significant capital — in this case, their 2024 first-round pick — to fix what might have been free had they just handed Lugo a rotation spot years ago.
Seth Lugo Made Most of Starting Opportunities With San Diego, Kansas City
When Lugo finally got the chance to start full-time in 2023 after years as a high-leverage reliever, he turned opportunity into transformation. With the San Diego Padres, Lugo made the shift to the rotation and impressed enough to earn a three-year, $45 million deal with the Royals in December 2023.
In his first full season as a Kansas City starter in 2024, Lugo went 16–9 with a 3.00 ERA over 206.2 innings — ranking second in the American League in wins and innings pitched. He started 33 games and led the AL with 22 quality starts, matching Tarik Skubal, Logan Gilbert, and Corbin Burnes. It was enough to finish runner‑up in AL Cy Young Award voting. He also earned his first All-Star nod and claimed his first Gold Glove that year.
This year Lugo has carried that form into 2025, with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.088 WHIP activity level nearing last year’s standards — again anchoring the Kansas City rotation consistently, shifting gears with pinpoint control and command more than blazing speed. At 35, he’s proving that he isn’t just a placeholder — he’s a true starter with reliability and polish.
“Stud, pro’s pro,” ESPN’s Jesse Rogers said.
Appearing on a recent episode of the Foul Territory podcast, Rogers commended Lugo’s effort in an 8-4 win at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. With the wind blowing out, Lugo allowed just two runs in six innings on four hits and two walks while striking out six.
“This guy can get it done,” Rogers said. “He’s a playoff-caliber pitcher.”
Kansas City Could be Sellers, With Seth Lugo as a Valuable Trade Chip
But despite Lugo’s win, the Royals are trending in the wrong direction. At 50-53, Kansas City would have quite the uphill climb to get into the playoffs, and speculation has gotten loud that Lugo could be switching teams at the trade deadline.
Rogers said that Lugo has expressed his desire to remain with the Royals, but unless they go on a quick win streak, the team will likely be sellers. Lugo has an opt-out clause in his contract that he is expected to utilize after this season, so it would make sense to trade him for future assets.
“I just feel like you can get something for him, so I think he’s more likely gone than not,” Rogers said.
And the Mets would welcome him back.
“That would be a great reunion to augment the rotation,” said Conner Rogers on SNY.tv’s The Mets Pod.
“I would be very interested in Seth Lugo because I think he provides exactly what the Mets need in the rotation, which is floor and innings,” Joe Demayo agreed.
Mets Could Sacrifice Top Prospect to Fix Past Mistake