Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, The San Diego Padres are finalizing a deal with right-hander Seth Lugo. The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported that it is expected to be a two-year deal, worth $15 million with a player option after the 2023 season.
The 33-year-old Lugo was drafted by the New York Mets in the 34th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He made his debut for the Mets in 2016 and pitched at the Major League level for the last seven seasons, mostly as a starter for the first two seasons of his career. In 2018, 49 of his 54 appearances came out of the bullpen. He made seven starts in the shortened 2020 season, where the Mets felt he would be most effective as a reliever.
Lugo pitched a 3.60 ERA in 65 innings out of the bullpen in 2022, earning a setup role alongside Adam Ottavino. Ottavino is still unsigned after a dominant year with the team, pitching to a 2.06 ERA in 65 2/3 innings.
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