Why did the Royals sign Lugo over other pitchers?

The Royals prioritized signing a veteran starter to bolster their weak rotation, considering pitchers like Jesus Luzardo and Marcus Stroman. Despite the younger and more experienced options, they opted for a gamble on Seth Lugo, a reliever turned starter. While the team had interest in Stroman, he chose the Yankees due to his New York roots and a love for the spotlight. Stroman made it clear why he signed with the pin stripes: "I'm from New York and I'm a New York boy. That kind of says everything for itself," Stroman said back then. "I love pitching [at Yankee Stadium]. New York is like the mecca of the world. I love excitement, the bright lights, competition, I love pressure. I always loved pitching here. I haven't necessarily pitched well. I always enjoyed it. Yankee lineups are brutal. They are kind of hard to navigate. I love the spotlight. The bigger the moment, that's what I kind of wanted it to be."
Although linked to Luzardo, trading for a starter seemed unlikely for the Royals. Lugo had interest from other teams such as the Braves, Red Sox, Dodgers and the Diamondback, but the Royals surprised many by securing the 34-year-old.
Critics argue the Royals may have overpaid, estimating a lower contract value than the $45 million deal. According to three writers of the New York Post, expert number one projected a three-year deal worth $42 million, expert two projected a three-year deal worth $39 million and Jon Heyman of the New York Post projected Lugo to land a two-year deal worth $30 million dollars. The Royals ended up paying the 34-year to a $45 million dollar deal.
Lugo, with just one full season as a starter, poses a significant gamble. However, his pitch repertoire, including a standout curveball, drew praise from GM J.J. Picollo. "He’s got exceptional command,” general manager J.J. Picollo said. “We know he’s got one of the best curveballs in the game. He’s always been able to spin the breaking ball, and it’s a pretty special gift. You combine that with his other pitches and command, and it’s a really nice addition to our rotation.”
As a ground ball pitcher, Lugo aligns well with the Royals' strong infield with Whitt Jr. and Garcia. While not a strikeout pitcher, Lugo's versatility might see him shift to the bullpen, especially with offseason bullpen additions and if the team believes a pitcher like Asa Lacy or Frank Mozzicato are ready for big league action. Acknowledging risks, such as age and game depth, Lugo presents a relatively low-red flag signing. His role in the rotation is uncertain, but fans can expect him to provide stability and a chance for the Royals to secure victories.
 

 



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