Seth Lugo emerges as contender to bolster Diamondbacks’ starting pitching needs

It is no secret that the Arizona Diamondbacks are shopping for another starting pitcher, more specifically, one that fits their price range.

While there are plenty of big names on the free agency market this offseason, such as Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell, and Eduardo Rodriguez, the Diamondbacks are currently showing interest in a name that you may have probably never heard of.

That is 34-year-old Seth Lugo.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Diamondbacks are one of a handful of teams that are interested in Lugo. A couple other teams that have expressed interest are the Braves and Red Sox.

Seth Lugo’s return to the MLB was an unlikely one. After being drafted in the 34th round of the 2011 draft by the New York Mets, it took Lugo 5 years until he finally made his debut midway through the 2016 season.

For the first seven years of his MLB career, Lugo was primarily a relief pitcher for the Mets. Through 494 innings in New York, he posted a 3.62 ERA, struck out 508 batters, and was great at limiting the long ball.

Then, in 2023 with the San Diego Padres, Lugo transformed into a starter. In his 26th and final start of the season, the 34-year-old tossed 8.2 shutout innings against the San Francisco Giants.

Currently, the Diamondbacks starting rotation consists of only four names: Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, and Tommy Henry.

Stay tuned for further updates as the winter meetings continue to roll along.