The Kansas City Royals and veteran right-handed starting pitcher Seth Lugo have agreed to a two-year contract extension with a vesting option, the team announced Monday. The deal is expected to pay about $46 million total for 2026 and 2027,

Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo was a top candidate to be traded until he received a contract extension on Monday.

Seth Lugo signed on for two more seasons, with the contract holding a vesting option for a third year. The pact guarantees the 35-year-old right-handed pitcher at least $46 million. For whatever you think of the deal — too rich, rather cheap or just right — we should back up to acknowledge a bigger picture: