Free agency for the Los Angeles Dodgers up to this point has primarily centered around players who aren’t returning rather than additions.
Clayton Kershaw was re-signed and Shelby Miller joined the organization, but the Dodgers have otherwise seen the likes of Tyler Anderson, Cody Bellinger, Andrew Heaney, Tommy Kahnle, Chris Martin and Trea Turner sign with other teams.
Even with Kershaw back in the fold, the Dodgers face a need in their starting rotation. They reportedly had interest in Justin Verlander prior to the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner agreeing to sign with the New York Mets.
As the Dodgers canvass the market for starting pitching, one option they have interest in is Seth Lugo, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Right-hander Seth Lugo is drawing interest as both a starter and reliever, with the Angels, Dodgers, Padres and Nationals among the teams showing at least some interest in adding him to their rotations.
Along with the Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals, the Boston Red Sox are said to have interest in Lugo as well.
That’s come with the right-hander potentially returning to a starting role, which he hasn’t held since 2017. Lugo made a career-high 18 starts for the Mets that season.
He otherwise has transitioned to a relief role for New York, and largely done so successfully. From 2018-2022, Lugo went 20-17 with 16 saves, a 3.25 ERA, 122 ERA+, 3.40 FIP and 1.11 WHIP across 239 games (12 starts).
Lugo last was part of the Mets rotation in 2020, when he started seven of 16 overall appearances during the shortened season.
Seth Lugo fits Dodgers’ vision
When addressing a need for starting pitching, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers likely would look to fill their rotation with a signing similar to what unfolded with Anderson — an undervalued addition that wound up contributing.
Lugo would fall under that category, and also give the Dodgers some flexibility should he be better suited for a bullpen role.
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