David Lesky reviews Seth Lugo’s start on Thursday.
He spoke before the season about wanting to use his fastballs more. I’m assuming that was his four-seamer, sinker and cutter. He’s thrown them about 52 percent of the time last year after throwing them about 50 percent of the time last year. I would argue that the extra two percent is somewhat meaningless. So I’m not sure why he’s veered from that, other than the fact that his curve is theoretically his best pitch. It’s one of the highest-spin pitches in all of baseball. Last year, hitters hit .220 with a .352 SLG on it. Coming into yesterday, they were hitting .214 with a .339 SLG. But still, he threw it 18.2 percent of the time last year and had thrown it 14.6 percent of the time this season. To his credit, the sinker, four-seamer and cutter have led the way, while last year, the curve was his number two.
Craig Brown also reviews the stinker against the Rays.
The Athletic ranks Kris Bubic #26 in a list of potential trade candidates.
The Royals’ lefty was a great story after converting from relief to put up a pristine ERA in over 100 innings in 2025, but he’s struggled to stay on the mound this year. He’s coming back from shoulder and elbow issues and will have to at least demonstrate that those joints are working. Teams will also have to wonder how much of last year’s work was a fluke, given only slightly above-average strikeout rates and well below average velocity. He’s worth a shot in this year’s market either way.
MLB Trade Rumors ranks him #30.
Bubic is an impending free agent on a Kansas City team that sits 14 games under .500. He’d be an obvious trade candidate if he’s healthy. The southpaw has missed the past five weeks with elbow soreness. He began a rehab assignment a couple weeks ago, reported shoulder discomfort, and was pulled off. That was a seemingly minor issue, as Bubic resumed his rehab stint with Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
The recent history of arm issues is an obvious red flag. Bubic also has a 2023 Tommy John surgery and a ’25 rotator cuff strain on his medical chart. He’s a good pitcher when healthy, making an All-Star team and posting a 2.55 ERA season last year. An uncharacteristic jump in walks has pushed his ERA to 4.11 across 50 1/3 frames this season. He has fanned a quarter of opponents and would fit into the middle of a contending rotation at full strength.
Clay Snowden of Just Baseball looks at the murky future for the Royals.
Prospects change constantly and emerge quickly so it is possible someone could help sooner than later. But where it stands today it does not look good. Not only does this raise concerns on internal help but also an ability to pull off a trade using high-end prospects to bring back major league talent, leading to my next question.
How much do you trust this organization with trading for major league talent? The trade for Ragans, based on talent alone, was a home run. No doubt about it. But the other trades in recent memory have not been what you would hope for.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep thinks John Schreiber would be a good fit for the Nationals.
While I don’t think Schreiber would command a top prospect, he could help the Royals net a “turnaround” project or two in return.
Two names that could be included in a Schreiber deal are outfielder Robert Hassell III and pitcher Andry Lara. Both are post-hype prospects who have failed to do much in the Majors and are currently languishing in Triple-A.
Bobby Witt Jr. is the only Royals player headed to a runoff at his position in All-Star voting.
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The Angels fire general manager Perry Minasian, and hire John Mozeliak to run the team.
The Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza after a 34-47 start and name Andy Green as interim manager.
The Padres sign infielder Luis Rengifo to a minor league deal.
Max Kepler returns after an 80-game PED suspension.
Konnor Griffin returns for the Pirates.
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The best MLB draft debates of all-time.
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The Canadian Football League won’t take Brendan Sorsby.
The NHL draft
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Comedian Mel Brooks turns 100 this weekend.
Peanuts will finally reveal who is Charlie Brown’s pen pal.
Your song of the day is The Gap Band with Early in the Morning.
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