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The Toronto Blue Jays are blindsided by the Kansas City Royals latest move
Photo credit: Megan Briggs / Jays Journal
The Toronto Blue Jays were caught off guard as All-Star trade target Seth Lugo unexpectedly signed a mid-season contract extension with the Kansas City Royals, effectively removing a top pitching option from the trade market.
The Royals locked up the veteran right-hander to a two-year contract extension worth $46 million.
Blue Jays miss out on Seth Lugo deal.
Baron Dionis from Jays Journal write that Kansas City has reentered the playoff race, in part due to the Blue Jays' strong showing against the Tigers over the weekend, a development that helped motivate the Royals to lock up in Seth Lugo with a two-year, $46 million extension.
"Out of nowhere, the Blue Jays' success took them out of the race for one of the top starting pitchers on the market. Lugo definitely has his own struggles, allowing a ton of hard contact, yet he somehow still gets it done, posting a 2.95 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP." -Dionis
The veteran right-hander could have seamlessly slotted into the top of Toronto's rotation, potentially serving as the missing piece for a deep playoff run.
However, he would've only been a rental. With players like Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer on expiring deals, this feels like the season where the Blue Jays need to push all their chips in and make a serious run.
Even with Lugo off the market, the Blue Jays still have several promising trade avenues to explore. One dream target is Mitch Keller, who currently leads the majors in quality starts. With three years remaining on his contract after 2025, Keller offers both immediate impact and long-term value, and the best part? He might not require the Blue Jays completely empty the farm system to acquire him.
"Edward Cabrera or Sandy Alcantara are two other strong candidates to target, yet the Marlins have climbed into a spot where they don't need to sell off. It doesn't seem likely that they buy, so Miami still could sell one of these two arms to Toronto.
There is the rental route too, with another Pirate in Andrew Heaney, Adrian Houser of the White Sox, or Charlie Morton from the rival Orioles. There are so many opportunities for this team these next few days and it is really surprising that nothing has happened." -Dionis
There is the rental route too, with another Pirate in Andrew Heaney, Adrian Houser of the White Sox, or Charlie Morton from the rival Orioles. There are so many opportunities for this team these next few days and it is really surprising that nothing has happened." -Dionis
The Blue Jays need to make a big move soon, this team has real World Series potential. Missing out on Lugo stings, especially with Kansas City heating up. Time's ticking, Ross Atkins, don't let another star slip away.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 28 | 284 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays are blindsided by the Kansas City Royals latest move Do you think the Blue Jays will regret not pushing harder to acquire Royals' pitcher Seth Lugo? | ||
| yes | 153 | 53.9 % |
| no | 131 | 46.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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