Padres Rumors: Seth Lugo Likely to Decline Option, Head to Free Agency

The Padres pitcher will likely not return.

If anything, the Padres' 2023 season proved that money can't buy everything as the Friars' payroll was among the most expensive going into the season yet they failed to make the postseason.

Because they went for a home run this season and completely whiffed, the Padres will likely shed some of their priciest players as they look to build a more traditional team with a shot at making the playoffs.

Unfortunately, that will mean parting with some highly-talented players, such as pitcher Seth Lugo. 

Lugo finished with a 3.57 ERA and proved to be a valuable piece of the Padres' starting rotation. Now, he's likely going to enter free agency. 

Lugo's option is a straight player option, meaning he can either accept $7.5 million for the 2024 season or enter free agency. According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Lugo is expected to do the latter.

As a strong starting pitcher, Lugo could likely land a more lucrative deal than the $7.5 million deal he would work with in San Diego. 

San Diego could offer Lugo a revised deal in free agency, but because of their likely tendency to save money next season, they likely will let him walk.

Players officially become free agents the day after the World Series concludes, but cannot sign with a new team until five days have passed. the five-day period serves as an opportunity for teams to retain their departing free agents.