The Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to a host of names recently as possible reinforcements for the team’s oft-injured pitching rotation.

A name recently mentioned, courtesy of ESPN writers Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, is Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo.

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The writer-reporter duo pegged Lugo’s probability in being moved at approximately 40 percent. Along with the Dodgers, other potential fits include the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.

“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.”

There are a couple of things at play here. Kansas City is still fighting for postseason contention, currently 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot. The Royals could very well go on a run — which would then make trading Lugo a moot proposition.

Seth Lugo against his former team:

6.1 IP
2 H
1 ER
0 BB
7 K

Last year’s Cy Young runner-up has a 2.93 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP this season! pic.twitter.com/I5EMZr4cJB

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 22, 2025

Lugo has a $15 million player option for the 2026 season. As he approaches his 36th birthday, would the veteran right-handed pitcher opt-in and cost the Dodgers some payroll flexibility? Or, would Lugo bet on himself to get one last multi-year deal on the open market?

On the other hand, Lugo’s career versatility toggling between being a starter and a reliever is something the Dodgers likely value. The need for a right-handed reliever, and particularly one that can chew up innings would be ideal.

Lugo currently sports a 4-5 record with a 2.93 earned run average. While he isn’t a strikeout artist by any stretch, he mixes his assortment of pitches as well as anyone.

Lugo also is above-average in not walking hitters — something especially significant should he feature in a postseason series.

Lugo’s experience makes him an attractive option for any contending team. As always, Andrew Friedman will have to weigh what the asking price is in addition to getting as good of a read on his pitching stable as possible.

Should a player such as Shohei Ohtani be utilized sparingly rather than as a consistent starting pitcher, the Dodgers could be even more aggressive in adding a frontline player.

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Photo Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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