UPDATE (Dec. 19, 11:35 a.m. PT): Seth Lugo reportedly agreed to sign with the San Diego Padres over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Since re-signing Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers missed out on Justin Verlander and weren’t in the final running for Carlos Rodón.
The team nevertheless has canvassed the market for starting pitching, which led to signing Noah Syndergaard to a contract for 2023. The Dodgers additionally have been among the teams with reported interest in Seth Lugo.
Although the 33-year-old has been an effective relief pitcher for the New York Mets, Lugo is said to be interested in signing with a team that will allow him to start.
The Dodgers are thought to be among those teams, and according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Lugo may decide between signing with them or the San Diego Padres:
Seth Lugo looks like a Dodgers-Padres battle. Nats have been in, too.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 18, 2022
The last time Lugo was full-time member of a rotation came in 2017, when he made a career-high 18 starts for the Mets.
While filling a bullpen role from 2018-2022, he 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.
Should the Dodgers sign Seth Lugo?
With the addition of Syndergaard, the Dodgers already have a full starting rotation. However, in the event of potential injuries or perhaps easing Dustin May into his first full season since Tommy John surgery, they would face the prospect of relying on the likes of Ryan Pepiot, Andre Jackson and Michael Grove.
Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone could be candidates to contribute around the midway point of the 2023 season.
Thus, signing Lugo would provide the Dodgers with more insurance and added versatility given the right-hander’s ability to pitch in relief if necessary. Though, it is also worth nothing Lugo has pitched through a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow since 2017.
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