Ask any Boston Red Sox fan what the team needs most at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, and you'll get a unanimous answer: starting pitching help.
Walker Buehler is practically a lost cause at the back of the rotation, and no one outside of maybe Brayan Bello has earned the confidence of Alex Cora and the fans to serve as one of Garrett Crochet's reinforcements in the rotation.
Thus, with rumor season revving up, it's no surprise that the Red Sox find themselves connected to nearly every available starting pitcher on the market.
Matthew Trueblood of North Side Baseball was the first to highlight Seth Lugo's potential availability, though he obviously connected them to the Cubs as they search for some rotation help of their own. Now, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports is doubling down on Lugo as a trade candidate with the Kansas City Royals well below .500 and 14 games back of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL Central.
Square peg, meet square hole. It's not always so simple at the trade deadline, but could the Red Sox and Royals match up for an win-win deal for both sides?
Red Sox, Royals are obvious trade partners in potential Seth Lugo deal
For those unacquainted with his career revival, Seth Lugo, 35, has turned into something of a monster since the San Diego Padres converted him to a starter in 2023. Since then, he's tossed 448 innings, logging a sterling 3.11 ERA (3.63 FIP) to go along with a 1.127 WHIP and impressive strikeout (22.2%) and walk rates (6.3%). This year alone, he's been a force to be reckoned with, hurling nearly six innings per start while recording a 2.65 ERA (4.16 FIP).
His contract is also favorable, as he's in the middle of a three-year, $45 million deal that comes equipped with a player option for next season at $15 million. Barring injury, Lugo will certainly opt out of his deal, making him a cheap rental that can likely be re-signed for a fair price given his age (36 by Opening Day 2026).
Sounds like he's a pretty good candidate to serve as Crochet's right-hand(ed) man. And, wouldn't you know it, the Royals need exactly what the Red Sox have a surplus of: outfielders.
Save for their corner infielders, the Royals are getting above-average offensive contributions from just one player: MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. Their collective outfield, including top prospect Jac Caglianone, has been worth negative fWAR this year.
Luckily, the Red Sox's outfield logjam will necessitate a trade in the coming months. It's more than likely that Jarren Duran will be the odd man out, which is perfect considering the Royals' huge need for a left-handed hitter with speed who can also set the tempo atop the lineup. There are fewer apt descriptions than that for Duran.
With his extra team control, Duran could make for a perfect one-for-one swap for Lugo. Even if the Red Sox have to toss in a low-level prospect or two to get the deal done, though, this trade makes too much sense for both sides to let it slip through the cracks.