Report: Mets 'not motivated' to deal Lugo
With a depleted starting rotation, the New York Mets appear reluctant to deal one of their only healthy pitchers.
The club is reportedly "not motivated" to trade right-hander Seth Lugo, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
The Chicago Cubs, who are intrigued by Lugo's spin rate and view him as a possible breakout pitcher with untapped potential, are among the teams showing interest in the 27-year-old, Crasnick notes.
Lugo missed all of April and May with a partial UCL tear in his throwing arm after representing Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic - an event in which he performed particularly well, helping guide his club to the final.
Though not overpowering on the mound, Lugo has a reputation of possessing arguably the league's best curveball. Among pitchers with 500 pitches this season, Lugo's leads in average spin rate (3,077 RPM). He also threw the highest spin curve in Statcast history last year, measured at 3,498 RPM.
In nine games this season (eight starts), Lugo has posted a 4.10 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 34 strikeouts.