The Houston Astros faced major offseason losses with the departures of Ryan Pressly, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman. Despite these setbacks, the team has managed to stay strong, sitting atop the American League standings as the trade deadline approaches. However, if the Astros want to remain competitive through the demanding final stretch of the season, adding a reliable starting pitcher will be crucial.
There are several intriguing trade candidates on the market, and one name that’s starting to gain traction is Kansas City Royals ace Seth Lugo. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly recently identified Houston as a prime landing spot for the veteran right-hander, suggesting that Lugo could be a perfect fit for the Astros’ rotation.
“With Framber Valdez set to become a free agent after the season, the Astros would probably be best served acquiring a controllable starter who’s sure to be with them in 2026,” Kelly wrote. “But even if Seth Lugo is likely to opt out of the final year of his three-year, $45 million deal after the season, last year’s AL Cy Young runner-up is too good of a fit for the Astros to pass up.”
Lugo’s contract includes a player option for 2026, which he’s expected to decline, effectively making him a rental arm. But he’s far from a throwaway piece. After finishing as the AL Cy Young runner-up in 2024 — narrowly missing the award due to Tarik Skubal’s phenomenal year — Lugo has continued to pitch at an elite level in 2025. He’s one of the most consistent and quietly dominant starters in the league this season.
The Royals, a small-market team, may not be able to justify keeping Lugo through the end of the year and potentially losing him for nothing. If they believe he’ll decline a qualifying offer, it makes sense for Kansas City to trade him now while his value is still high.
For Houston, a deal for Lugo would likely require parting with some of their top prospects. However, the opportunity to secure a high-caliber starter for a playoff push — and potentially extend him long-term — could be well worth the cost. With the AL race tightening, the Astros might be ready to make a bold move to stay on top.