Padres agree with curveball maestro Lugo (source)
SAN DIEGO — The Padres seem to have discovered a few of that much-needed pitching depth they have been looking for.
Right-hander Seth Lugo is in settlement on a two-year contract with San Diego, sources instructed MLB.com on Monday. The workforce has not but confirmed the signing, which is pending a bodily. The deal is price $15 million over two years, with a participant opt-out after the primary season.
The 33-year-old Lugo posted a 3.48 ERA throughout seven massive league seasons with the Mets. He’s spent the previous two years pitching completely out of the bullpen, however sources accustomed to the Padres’ decision-making famous that Lugo could be given an opportunity to begin for San Diego.
At the very least, Lugo might fill the same function to the one Nick Martinez stuffed in 2022. Martinez began video games early within the yr, then grew to become a particularly serviceable swingman, pitching high-leverage innings every time they arose. Lugo began 38 video games throughout his tenure with the Mets, however none since ’20.
What are the Padres getting?
There’s apparent upside with Lugo, who has posted a sub-3.00 ERA on three events and owns a 3.56 ERA over the previous two years. In reality, his solely down yr previously 5 got here throughout the pandemic-shortened 2020 marketing campaign. Otherwise, he is been a dependable presence on the Mets’ pitching employees nearly each season.
Lugo has a knack for lacking bats, having posted a 29.3 % Ok charge over the previous 4 seasons. Most notably, he throws a high-spin curveball that induces whiffs at a 30.8 % clip. Lugo pairs that with a four-seamer, a sinker and a slider.
That mentioned, it is unsure how Lugo’s stuff would play have been he to transition again right into a starter function. He throws his curveball at a 34 % clip, which works properly within the ‘pen. Perhaps his slider utilization would tick again up have been he to make a full-time return to the rotation.
Lugo’s profession numbers as a reliever (2.91 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 3.98 Ok/BB) are notably higher than his numbers as a starter (4.35 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 3.28 Ok/BB). But the Padres have a a lot higher want of their rotation, having misplaced Sean Manaea and Mike Clevinger to free company this offseason.
As issues stand, San Diego boasts probably the greatest entrance ends for its rotation in baseball, with Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell. Beyond these three, there are query marks.
The again finish of the Padres’ bullpen stays formidable, with Robert Suarez and Josh Hader locking down the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. But the center innings aren’t fairly so safe. If Lugo have been wanted in aid, he specialised at masking a number of frames for New York.
The Padres’ seek for pitching is not performed. They’d like so as to add a minimum of yet one more starter, given the query marks on the again finish of the rotation. It’s doable San Diego will add to its bullpen as effectively.
Still, with the addition of Lugo, the Padres can begin to really feel a bit extra comfy about their depth — whether or not he finally ends up beginning or pitching in aid.
Realistically, the Padres’ greatest wants now seem like on offense — the place they’d like so as to add a minimum of one nook bat and ideally two to a lineup that’s fearsome however a bit top-heavy.
