TheLos Angeles Dodgers remain one of the most dominant teams in MLB, sharing the best record in Major League Baseball.
However, in modern baseball, no team wins on names alone: injuries, streaks and roster depth are determining factors on the road to October. That’s why in Southern California there is already talk of a possible move that could bolster an already depleted rotation and keep their title hopes alive.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles club is seriously considering adding Seth Lugo, the Kansas City Royals’ star pitcher. At 35 years of age, Lugo is having one of his best seasons as a professional and his name is among the most attractive on the market.
To get him, the Dodgers would have to part with two key prospects: Eduardo Quintero and Mike Sirota, both with great potential.
Is Seth Lugo the missing piece in the Angels’ rotation?
Lugo, who shone in 2024 as runner-up in the Cy Young voting and finished in the top 15 in the MVP voting, has not let up this season. With an ERA of 2.74 in 15 starts and an ERA+ of 151, his performance puts him well above the league average. In addition, he has pitched more than 88 innings this year, making him a reliable and resilient arm, just what Los Angeles needs with so many pitchers out through injury.
However, there is an important caveat: Lugo could be just a temporary reinforcement. He has a $15 million player option for 2026 that, given his performance, he will likely turn down in search of a more lucrative contract. In that sense, it would be a classic “luxury rental” for the Dodgers, as was the case with Jack Flaherty in the past, when he shone in the World Series despite having only been around for a few months.
Is the cost in young talent worth it for a temporary reinforcement?
The dilemma for management is not a small one. Eduardo Quintero, just 19 years old, is having an outstanding campaign in Class A, while Mike Sirota, acquired in the Gavin Lux trade, is tearing up Triple-A pitching with a 1.088 OPS. Giving up both for a short-term veteran may seem like a high price to pay, especially if a title is not achieved at the end of the road.
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, has been the protagonist of bold decisions at the deadline, with mixed results. But if this team has shown anything, it is that it is willing to go all out for the championship. And in a season where every arm counts, adding Lugo could be the statement they need.
The Dodgers are not looking to compete, they are looking to win. And while the gamble on Lugo is not a long-term one, it could be just what is needed to ensure depth, experience and stability heading into October. The price may be high, but the reward, a new championship ring, would justify it all.
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