Padres Rumors: Seth Lugo Expected to Leave Friars This Winter

As the San Diego Padres enter into their offseason, they will have plenty of big roster decisions to make this winter. It could see the team tweak their roster slightly, or it could look very different from this past season. 

After the way the season went, it may be a good thing to change things around. But the Padres did have a ton of talent on the team, it just never put things together until the final month of the season.

One of those players that the team will need to figure things out about is starting pitcher Seth Lugo. Lugo joined San Diego last offseason with a promise to start the game after he was mainly used as a relief pitcher in other spots.

He didn’t disappoint for the Friars, posting an ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.20. Lugo also struck out 140 batters over 146.1 innings of work.

Despite his strong 2023 season, it’s expected that Lugo will leave the team this winter. He has a player option that he will decline, as he looks for a bigger financial deal. 

Insider AJ Cassavell for MLB.com gave his opinion on what will happen with Lugo, and it lines up with everything already expected.

“Lugo owns a $7.5 million player option that he’ll probably decline. The Padres’ rotation is thin, and Lugo clearly loved pitching in San Diego. The two sides will touch base. But Lugo proved himself fully capable of handling a starting role, meaning his market should be much more robust this winter than last. Prediction: Lugo signs elsewhere”

Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com

Assuming Lugo does leave, the Padres will need to fill his production in the rotation. It won't be easy, but San Diego has shown strength in finding pitchers to produce. General Manager A.J. Preller has his work cut out for him this winter, as he looks to get the Padres back into a position for the playoffs next season.