The New York Mets are barely scraping by in the starting pitching department.
With a loaded injured list and question marks about some of their starters' heavy workloads, it would be more than practical for the Mets to acquire at least one reliable arm at the upcoming trade deadline.
Unfortunately, the deadline talent pool doesn't appear to be too flush with potential aces this year. The Mets will have stiff competition from other contenders (i.e. the Los Angeles Dodgers) in the quest to land the few stars available.
It's far from confirmed, but one of those available stars just might be a hurler who has already played seven seasons in Queens.
That hurler is Kansas City Royals star Seth Lugo, who Tim Boyle of FanSided discussed as a potential Mets trade target in an article on Tuesday.
"Lugo has a $15 million player option for next season which, given his success as a starter over the last three seasons, feels like a contract he should opt out of," Boyle wrote. "Lugo turns 36 in November and would be wise to capitalize on his success as a starter after years of being one of the best relievers on the Mets roster.
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"In the past, Lugo expressed dissatisfaction about his usage as a reliever during his New York tenure. It’s a big reason why he wasn’t expected to sign with the Mets after a brief stint with the San Diego Padres. A trade is different. And with him becoming a proven starter, the Mets would have no reason but to keep him in the rotation to continue his dominance."
Because he has a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts this season, Lugo would be the prize of the deadline if the 44-48 Royals made him available.
One would like to think he could shake off any lingering hard feelings toward the Mets, but one never knows what's going on in a player's head.