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Seth Lugo Declined 4-Year Deal From Padres Before Signing With Royals

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Padres
By Matt Levine | Last updated 12/13/23

Starting pitcher Seth Lugo agreed to terms with the Kansas City Royals on a 3-year,$45 million contract on Tuesday. He is now another pitcher from the 2023 rotation who won't be returning to the team next season.

Starter Nick Martinez already signed with the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the offseason. And Michael Wacha and Blake Snell are unlikely to return to the team.

San Diego was always expected to lose Lugo, but it seems that they did their best to try to keep him in town.

MLB Insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com is reporting that the Padres made an effort to re-sign Lugo before he agreed to terms with the Royals. The deal would have been a longer contract but for less money.

The Padres made an attempt to keep Seth Lugo, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Royals. Per sources, San Diego actually offered Lugo a four-year deal, but for a lower guarantee than he received from Kansas City.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 13, 2023

Lugo ultimately went with more money over a shorter amount of time. He more than earned it after the year that he put together for San Diego.

The Padres gave him a chance to be a full-time starter this season after he had previously been a reliever for the New York Mets. He likely wanted to show that he could be a starter in the league, knowing he would receive a nice contract on the open market if he had success.

Lugo bet on himself, and it's great to see the results coming from it.

The veteran right-hander was solid with the Friars this past season. He posted an ERA of 3.57 over 26 starts and posted a WHIP of 1.20. Lugo also struck out 140 over 146.1 innings of work.

He gave the Padres a reliable pitcher every time he took the mound, something that couldn't be said for many of the Padres players last season. Lugo will do well with the Royals, being the veteran presence on the staff that they have been looking for.

Lugo earned his new multi-year deal from Kansas City, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward!

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Padres and was syndicated with permission.

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