While it’s true that the Atlanta Braves are interested in free agent starting pitcher Seth Lugo, he doesn’t really seem like a good fit for their team.
If you hear anything about the Atlanta Braves, you should take it with a big grain of salt, because the front office doesn’t leak anything.
Alex Anthopoulos said the other day that a lot of the news about the Braves this summer has been wrong.
But the New York Post’s Jon Heyman said that “the Braves are one of the teams bidding for the free agent.”
That makes it look like there is more than just interest, but the Braves are just trading numbers.
In some ways, it’s good to hear that the Braves aren’t happy with their current starting rotation and are still looking into other choices.
Why not Seth Lugo?
During the 2018 season, he did well in San Diego and became a full-time starter for the first time since 2017. In 146.1 innings pitched at home in a place that was good for pitchers, he had a 3.57 ERA, a 1.203 WHIP, and 140 strikeouts.
That is the most innings he has ever pitched in a professional game. Since the 34-year-old has been a relief for so long, there isn’t as much wear and tear on his arm, so the Braves may think there is reason to believe he can suddenly throw 170 innings.
If you look at Lugo’s numbers in 2023, they don’t really point to a pitcher who is on the rise.
His xERA was 4.42 and his xBA was.260.
MLB trade rumors said he would get a $42 million deal for three years.
That’s $14 million a year for someone who hasn’t been a starter for a long time, has trouble getting through a set list a third time, and is 34 years old.
Lugo could definitely add strength to the rotation, and he might be able to work with Reynaldo Lopez or AJ Smith-Shawver in a piggyback situation.
But if this is the deal the Braves make to improve their rotation a lot, it will be disappointing.
