Seth Lugo, the Kansas City Royals' ace, has been the subject of trade speculation prior to the deadline. However, he will not be changing teams this season. According to reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Lugo is finalizing a multi-year contract extension with the Royals. MLB.com's Anne Rogers indicated that the deal will span two years and include a vesting option for the 2028 season. Additionally, New York Post's Jon Heyman noted that the extension is valued at approximately $46 million.

Lugo, 35, has been enjoying another outstanding season, boasting a 2.95 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP over 19 starts, putting him on track for one of the most successful years of his career. Despite his individual accomplishments, the Royals have faced challenges, currently sitting four games back in the race for a wild card spot with a record of 52-54. This lack of team success had raised questions about Lugo’s potential availability on the trade market, as USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported in early July that teams were closely monitoring Lugo's performance amidst Kansas City's struggles.

Ultimately, the Royals decided against trading Lugo at the deadline, opting to retain him for the upcoming seasons. Previously, Lugo held a player option for the 2026 season, a choice that many expected him to exercise in order to test free agency, where he would have been considered among the top pitchers available. Instead, he has chosen to commit to the Royals. Lugo previously spent his first seven major league seasons with the New York Mets before inking a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres to begin the 2023 season. Transitioning to a starting role with the Padres, he quickly established himself as a valuable asset in that capacity. Last season, in his debut year with the Royals, he recorded a 3.00 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP with a commendable 16-9 record, ultimately finishing as the runner-up in the AL Cy Young Award voting. With this new deal, Lugo aims to maintain his impressive form and support the Royals in their pursuit of postseason contention.