The Kansas City Royals didn’t look like a team ready to sell, the franchise having entered Wrigley Field and performed exceptionally against one of the best teams in the league. Their hitting improved significantly, and relief pitchers maintained their composure. And the starting rotation led by a known veteran seemed ready to make a strong playoff run towards October. It wasn’t just a series win over the Cubs; it was a message: Kansas City still has fight left in them. And if they could just string together a few more of those, maybe, just maybe, they’d talk their front office out of breaking it all apart.
Now, Seth Lugo had no interest in playing the rental game. Fresh off another gem, six innings, two runs, one emotional postgame, he made it clear where his heart was. The 35-year-old right-hander has been Kansas City’s most reliable arm this season, posting a 2.95 ERA through 113 innings and leading the staff both on and off the mound. With his name constantly in trade rumors, Lugo didn’t duck the speculation. He faced it head-on, the way he’s faced lineups all year.
“This is our team, and I’m part of it,” Lugo said. “I want to be here through thick and thin. It’s a good clubhouse. It’s a good team. We just have to be more consistent and keep playing like we can.”
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs Jul 23, 2025 Chicago, Illinois, USA Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo 67 throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Chicago Wrigley Field Illinois USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDavidxBanksx 20250723_tcs_bb6_553
They framed it coldly but clearly. Lugo represents the best mix of talent, reliability, and contract flexibility on the pitching market. He doesn’t walk hitters. He eats innings. And for contenders like the Cubs, who just saw him dominate in real time, he’s an easy fit. ESPN didn’t just speculate; they urged Kansas City to act, emphasizing that the Royals’ thin pipeline of advanced bats makes this an opportunity they can’t afford to pass up.
So now, the clock’s ticking. The Royals are playing better. The clubhouse is unified. But the front office sees the numbers, the looming player option, and the market demand. Lugo’s loyalty made headlines, but loyalty rarely sways deadline math.
What the Royals could get in return
If the Royals do pull the trigger on a Seth Lugo trade, they won’t be walking away empty-handed, and that’s exactly why the front office may lean into this deal. Lugo’s 2.95 ERA, veteran poise, and postseason-ready efficiency make him one of the most valuable arms available. He’s not an ace by name, but his performance says otherwise. That kind of reliability, especially for a team making a playoff push, comes at a premium, and the Cubs know it.
Chicago has what Kansas City needs: advanced, controllable position players. The Royals’ system has leaned heavily on pitching in recent years, and they desperately need near-MLB-ready bats. Names like BJ Murray Jr., Kevin Alcántara, or even Owen Caissie could be in play, depending on how aggressive the Cubs get. Lugo’s value won’t fetch a top-five prospect alone, but a package of high-upside talent that fits the Royals’ timeline? Absolutely on the table, and that’s before any bidding war starts. If another contender like the Yankees or Dodgers jumps into the mix, Kansas City could suddenly find itself holding all the cards. That kind of late push doesn’t just raise the price; it gives the Royals leverage they didn’t have a week ago.
The key detail? Lugo holds a player option for 2026. He can walk at the end of the season if he wants, and the Royals know it. That looming opt-out doesn’t just cloud his future in Kansas City; it quietly forces the front office’s hand. They’re not just weighing his value now; they’re weighing the real possibility of losing him for nothing in a few months. Contenders, on the other hand, see it differently. They aren’t worried about 2026. They’re focused on now. Lugo’s contract gives them a low-risk, high-reward playoff piece, no long-term strings attached.
And that in this deadline market makes him one of the most attractive arms available.
The post ESPN Issues Tough Trade Verdict on Royals’ Gold Glove Star as Emotional Plea Fails to Sway Analysts appeared first on EssentiallySports.