Are we going to get a June trade by the Cubs? Longtime Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine has been talking about a potential deal coming from the Cubs during the past month and according to a new report there's been major progress made toward a trade this week involving the Kansas City Royals.
Cubs in Trade Talks for Seth Lugo
North Side Baseball's Matthew Trueblood reported Friday morning that the Cubs and Royals have engaged in trade talks for veteran starting pitcher Seth Lugo. The 35-year-old righty currently has a 2.93 ERA in 14 starts so far in 2025. Lugo was a workhorse in Kansas City's starting rotation last season, when he made an MLB-high 33 starts and logged 206.2 innings, second-most among all starters.
Via North Side Baseball.
The Chicago Cubs and the Kansas City Royals had discussions this week about a trade that could send right-handed starter Seth Lugo to the North Siders, sources familiar with the negotiations said.
Lugo has been pretty good throughout his entire MLB career, posting a 3.34 ERA in 348 games. The right-hander would certainly be seen as an upgrade to the Cubs' rotation, which currently features Colin Rea as the No. 5 starter. However, Lugo's effectiveness aside, his contract situation may complicate trade discussions between the Cubs and Royals.
Technically, Lugo is under control through 2026, but that's via a $15 million player option. If he continues at his current pace, then the veteran pitcher will certainly decline next year's option and become a free agent. On the flip side, let's say Lugo suffers a long-term injury later this year that could effect his status in 2026, then he'd definitely opt-in for that $15 million and whatever team has him would be stuck with that salary.
Lugo began his big-league career with the New York Mets in 2016, dealt with an elbow injury in 2017, and was then moved between the rotation and bullpen during the next few years. The Mets exclusively used him as a reliever in 2021-22, and he was good in that role as well. Then, Lugo moved on as he re-established himself as a starter.
Since 2023, Lugo has made 73 starts with a 3.18 ERA in 436 innings.
Bigger Trade with Royals?
According to Trueblood's source, the Cubs have shown interest in a couple more Royals that could lead to a bigger trade. He brings up a few top prospects in the Cubs' farm system, but seeing as though Lugo will most likely be a free agent after 2025, a package deal might make more sense for Jed Hoyer as he looks to improve the roster at the trade deadline.
Sources said the Cubs have also shown interest in infielder Jonathan India (who has played 20 games at third base this year, after spending his whole career at the keystone through 2024) and reliever Carlos Estévez, whom the Royals signed to a two-year deal this winter. Neither player is at the top of the Cubs' wishlist for the roles they would fill, but India and Estévez each have significant salaries, which could keep their acquisition cost down. They would also each come with team control for 2026.
Jonathan India has one more of control via arbitration in 2026. He signed a two-year, $8.8 million deal when he was still with the Cincinnati Reds in 2024. As for Carlos Estévez, the reliever signed a two-year contract with the Royals this past offseason that guarantees him $22 million.
Who Would Cubs Trade?
Trueblood mentioned a trio of Cubs prospects in his article and they come off as suggestions more than concrete targets of the Royals. Of course, these names may come with someone inside knowledge that isn't quite confirmed yet. Nevertheless, the Cubs' writer presented shortstop Jefferson Rojas, and a pair of outfielders in Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcantara as potential center pieces of a trade.
Therefore, if the Royals want (say) Jefferson Rojas or Owen Caissie as part of a package in exchange for Lugo, the Cubs might seek to do some one-stop shopping.
The sweet spot could be a deal centered on Lugo and struggling Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara.
Trading Rojas or Caissie would be a heavy price to pay for the Cubs, but the indication from Trueblood is under that scenario the Cubs would seek acquiring India and Esteves in addition to Lugo.
As for a Kevin Alcantara swap for Lugo, it may seem crazy but the outfielder's stock has plummeted this year.
According to Trueblood, Ben Brown's name has also been tossed around in trade talks between the Cubs and Royals.
Other Cubs Trade Rumors
Besides this new Seth Lugo rumor the Cubs have reportedly been in contact with multiple teams, trying to upgrade their pitching staff.
Sandy Alcantara is a popular name linked to the Cubs this season and The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal confirmed the Cubs have checked in with the Miami Marlins about the 2022 NL Cy Young winner. He's not the only Marlins' pitcher the Cubs are interested in as Edward Cabrera is also on their radar.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale connected the Cubs to their division rival Pittsburgh Pirates, reporting the Cubs are eyeing starting pitcher Mitch Keller and reliever David Bednar. Levine confirmed the link to Keller as well.
