Seth Lugo is no longer the only Kansas City Royals All-Star pitcher whose name is floating around the trade rumor mill. Lugo will be a free agent if he opts out

PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Kris Bubic (7-6, 2.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 113 strikeouts); Marlins: Janson Junk (4-1, 2.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 38 strikeouts)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic delivers to a Seattle Mariners batter during the first inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.

With the trade deadline approaching and the Kansas City Royals visiting Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs seem intent on poaching either Seth Lugo or Kris Bubic.

The Red Sox are now 54-48 and hold the third American League Wild Card spot. They also are still within striking distance in the AL East. They have some needs to address leading up to the trade deadline. They have holes in the starting rotation, the bullpen, and at first base.

The Royals, who will try to avoid a three-game series sweep on Sunday at the Miami Marlins, went 7-3 in their final 10 contests prior to the All-Star break. "We have to be more consistent on the little things -- moving runners, backing up bases," Quatraro said. "These are things that don't show up on the box score.

The Kansas City Royals entered the 2025 season on the heels of a brilliant showing from their rotation the year prior. Their starting staff established themselves as one of the league’s elite ...

Kansas City Royals’ Kris Bubic pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

Bubic was recalled from the Royals' alternate training site Saturday. Bubic was sent to the alternate training site in mid-March after he posted an 8.59 ERA and 2.45 WHIP in 7.1 innings this ...