Red Sox lose All-Star starter from trade deadline wishlist after surprise extension

Kansas City Royals v Chicago Cubs
Kansas City Royals v Chicago Cubs | Michael Reaves/GettyImages

The Boston Red Sox are in the market for starting pitching help before the trade deadline, and they should start looking fast. One of the best options expected to be on the market signed an extension with his current club instead.

Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals are finalizing a contract extension, first reported by MLB insider Jeff Passan. Anne Rogers of MLB.com later reported that the extension is for two years with a vesting option for 2028.

Lugo signed a three-year contract with the Royals before the 2024 season, which included a player option for 2026. The extension removes the veteran from the trade market and eliminates his chance to hit free agency at the end of the season.

Lugo would've been an ideal trade option for the Red Sox, as he could've slotted into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Garrett Crochet. Lugo, a 10-year MLB veteran, has posted a 2.95 ERA, 1.088 WHIP, 99 strikeouts and 33 walks in 113 innings this year. He earned his first All-Star nomination in 2024, his age-34 season, and logged a 3.00 ERA in 206.2 innings.

Royals extend Seth Lugo, eliminating potential Red Sox trade deadline target

Boston and Kansas City have been identified as good potential trade partners since the deadline rumor mill took off. Jarren Duran has appeared in dozens of rumors, and the Royals could use outfield help to assert themselves in the American League Central. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal theorized that a swap involving Duran and Lugo would be a win for both sides, but the righty won't be leaving Kansas City anytime soon.

Another Royals pitcher, Kris Bubic, could've been another great trade option for the Red Sox. Unfortunately for Boston, he was recently placed on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain, which could keep him unavailable for quite a while, therefore slashing his trade value. Bubic has another season of control on his contract after 2025, and he's pitched to a 2.55 ERA with 116 strikeouts over 116.1 innings so far.

There are still plenty of starting pitcher trade options available, but the Red Sox will need to act fast to have a shot at the best of them. Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, Dylan Cease, Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen are among the potential arms who could be on the move before the deadline. Boston needs all the help it can get due to Patrick Sandoval's injury, Walker Buehler's inconsistency and Lucas Giolito's fall back to earth after an incredible stretch in July.

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