AL Central Squad Targeting Padres Free Agent Starting Pitcher in Free Agency

His market is already shaping up.

The San Diego Padres enter the offseason with some major decisions to make regarding their roster for next season, and they are expected to lose multiple players in free agency. San Diego will likely lose a few starting pitchers, and they will then need to figure out a plan to replace them. 

One of those is pitcher Seth Lugo, who put together a solid season with the Friars. Lugo declined his option with the Padres to enter free agency, and he will likely get a nice deal after his performance.

MLB insider Jon Morosi is reporting that the market for Lugo is already shaping out, with the Detroit Tigers checking in on him.

The Tigers are looking closely at the FA starting pitching market and checked in on Lance Lynn before he signed with the Cardinals.

Seth Lugo is another name of interest to Detroit. Lugo, 34, posted a 3.35 ERA over his final 18 starts this year.@MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 20, 2023

In 26 starts for the Padres this past season, Lugo posted an ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.20. He also struck out 140 batters over 146.1 innings of work as well. 

He was one of the more consistent starters for the Friars, and he was a big reason why they stayed alive in postseason contention for as long as they did. It's unlikely that he will return to San Diego, despite the year that he had for the team.

Lugo joined the Padres last season under the impression that he would be given a chance to start for them, and they lived up to their end of the bargain. He had primarily been used as a relief pitcher in the past but chose San Diego due to his desire to start.

It worked out well for him and now will see him cash in this offseason. Detroit likely won't be the only team to check in on him, and he will have to decide what's best for his career.