Here’s what Royals’ Seth Lugo, GM J.J. Picollo are saying about MLB trade deadline
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Seth Lugo drew trade deadline speculation after strong outing vs. Cubs.
- GM J.J. Picollo emphasized playoff push and roster sustainability goals.
- Royals face key games against AL contenders as trade deadline nears.
Twenty minutes after the Royals’ 8-4 win over the Cubs on Wednesday, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was thinking about the future.
But not his own.
Right-hander Seth Lugo had pitched a gem against Chicago, allowing two runs on four hits in six innings with a half-dozen strikeouts. Lugo has been the subject of trade speculation ahead of Major League Baseball’s July 31 deadline, a fact Pasquantino knows.
“I’d like to see him pitch for us again, for sure,” Pasquantino said. “Don’t know if he’s lined up to before the deadline. So I’d really like to see him with the Royals jersey on (in) his next start, and we’re trying to make that happen. But that’s kind of up to us. (You can) say that for multiple guys around the room, right?
“The mindset as a player never changes. We’re always pushing for the playoffs at all times. But it’s a business. Teams have to make business decisions. But as far as I’m concerned, I want him in Royal blue the rest of the season.”
The Royals are 50-53 after beating the Cubs to finish a series in Chicago and road trip that started in Miami. They finished this swing 3-3, winners of three of their last four as they try to get back into the American League playoff picture.
Lugo, 35, has a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA in 113 innings. He has a club option for the 2026 season, which means he could become a free agent this offseason.
But Lugo is focused on finishing this season strong and pitching in the postseason for a second straight year.
“This is our team, and I’m part of it,” Lugo said. “I want to be here through the thick and thin. It’s a good clubhouse. It’s a good team. We’ve just got to be more consistent and keep playing like we can and we’ll be all right.”
Lugo was asked if he’s spoken with Royals general manager J.J. Picollo lately.
“We’ve had some conversations,” Lugo said succinctly.
PIcollo’s message to Royals
The Royals are in the hunt for a playoff spot, but it’s a large field of contenders. Only three AL teams are more than five games out of a wild-card spot.
With an 11-8 record in July, the Royals have picked up two games in the postseason standings.
Picollo’s faith that the Royals can return to the playoffs hasn’t wavered, and neither has his approach to the MLB trade deadline.
“We’ve said all along, sustainability is what our goal is,” Picollo said in the visitors’ dugout at Wrigley Field. “We had a nice year last year, making the playoffs.
“We want to compete and get in the playoffs this year, but we also want to have a competitive team. So I think this team’s very capable of staying in this race, and we’re playing a lot of the opponents that are right there with us.”
The Royals on Friday open a three-game home series against the Cleveland Guardians, who are just ahead of KC in the standings. Then, after playing Atlanta, the Royals face the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Twins. All three are playoff contenders.
There’s one truism about the trade deadline: As it approaches, the number of rumors will only grow.
That’s why Picollo has delivered a simple message to the team.
“These games are all meaningful,” he said. “And I think when you look at the core of our team, pitchers that are going to be back, position players that are back, we have a pretty good core. So how can we add to that core and make ourselves more competitive? You know, whether it’s ‘25 or ‘26.
“At the same time, let’s not lose sight of ‘25 with (59) games to go. These games are all important and we want to win them all. Just keep competing has been a message to our team and block out all the noise about trade rumors.”
Much of the chatter has involved Lugo, but it’s not only about him.
And none of the talk escapes the players’ notice.
“They’re human, they hear it all,” Picollo said. “Most of which isn’t true, but they hear it.”
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Here’s what Royals’ Seth Lugo, GM J.J. Picollo are saying about MLB trade deadline."
