The MLB trade deadline is always an interesting time for the teams at the top of the standings, because they're often competing to deal for the same players.
That's the spot the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in.
Both could use a starting pitcher, and there aren't a ton out there.
One guy who might be available is Royals righty Seth Lugo. The Athletic ranks him as the best pitcher on the market after he finished second in AL Cy Young voting last year.
"Lugo had a breakout season in 2024, pitching more than 200 innings with a 3.00 ERA and finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting," The Athletic writes. "Now 35, his surface-level numbers are almost identical this year. The pitch and batted ball data suggest he’s not been as good as a year ago, but Lugo has remained plenty effective. He has a player option for 2026 he’s unlikely to exercise barring injury, meaning the right-hander should be considered a rental."
MORE: Dallas Keuchel is attempting an MLB comeback
Lugo is also listed as a fit for the Padres, who are always active in the trade market.
Given that Lugo probably only would stick around for a few months, his cost shouldn't be too steep. It could come down to a matter of Royals preference, whether they like the prospects offered by Chicago or L.A. better.
But one of the NL's best teams will get better if they can pull off a trade for Lugo.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million contract shining bright so far
- Pirates have a prospect named Iverson Allen
- Watch the first inside-the-park walk-off homer by a catcher in 99 years
- A good reason to remember Travis Hafner's greatness
- Cal Raleigh called his Home Run Derby shot when he was 8 years old
- Yankees call up tall star for MLB debut