KANSAS CITY -- The Royals¡¯ interest in Seth Lugo dates back to last offseason, when he first became a free agent after seven seasons with the Mets -- the final five primarily as a reliever. In free agency, Lugo stated his intention to be a starter, even though that came with uncertainty about how his stuff and body would transition back in that role.

Ultimately, Lugo bet on himself and signed a one-year deal with the Padres. The Royals kept their eye on the right-hander -- and all he did was prove he could be a valuable starter.

Come this winter, there was little doubt Lugo was at the top of the Royals¡¯ targets for starting pitchers once he declined his player option with the Padres.

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On Thursday, the 34-year-old curveball specialist officially became a Royal, inking a two-year deal with a player option for 2026. Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the club, but Lugo will make $15 million the next two seasons and has the player option worth $15 million in '26, a source told MLB.com. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, the Royals traded reliever Taylor Clarke to the Brewers for two Minor Leaguers.

¡°He¡¯s got exceptional command,¡± general manager J.J. Picollo said. ¡°We know he¡¯s got one of the best curveballs in the game. He¡¯s always been able to spin the breaking ball, and it¡¯s a pretty special gift. You combine that with his other pitches and command, and it¡¯s a really nice addition to our rotation.¡±

Lugo, who put himself on the map with his high-spin curveball when he debuted with the Mets in 2016, had some starting experience prior to this past season. However, his results were mixed, as he recorded a 4.35 ERA in 38 career starts before 2023. Lugo made 26 of those 38 starts in his first two seasons before spending 2018-22 pitching almost exclusively in relief for New York. He had a 2.91 ERA as a reliever with the Mets.

Through it all, he never lost sight of his goal: Starting.

¡°In my mind, if I proved myself over and over in the bullpen, I could have a chance to start.¡± Lugo said. ¡°A lot of relievers go through that. ¡­ Some? people tend to lose that goal. And speaking with guys who have been in the league for 10-15 years, it¡¯s easy to be OK where you¡¯re at. I was proud of myself for not letting my mind get to that point.¡±

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Every offseason, he prepared as if he were a starter, knowing it¡¯s easier to back off workload than quickly add to it. The Padres gave him the chance to pitch full time in their rotation, and he posted a 3.57 ERA across 26 starts and 146 1/3 innings. Despite having never thrown more than 101 1/3 innings in a season prior to 2023, Lugo got stronger down the stretch, pitching to a 2.50 ERA over his final nine starts.

¡°There were some doubts, but you put that aside and push forward with what my goal was,¡± Lugo said. ¡°Throw a lot of innings as often as possible -- really be out there as long as I can each night to take the ball.¡±

Lugo now slots in near the top of the Royals¡¯ rotation, with Cole Ragans and Brady Singer. Jordan Lyles will also return, and the Royals continue to search for at least one more starter in free agency.?

¡°The other thing I think is worth noting is we talk a lot about the experience, or lack of, on our current Major League roster,¡± Picollo said. ¡°With Seth, you got somebody who¡¯s pitched on the big stage in New York and San Diego, pitched in the playoffs. ¡­ Then you do your homework on him -- great teammate, team-first guy. We¡¯re just really happy to have Seth on board.¡±

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Kansas City entered this offseason needing to upgrade its pitching staff after it ranked third-worst in ERA (5.17), 10th-worst in walk rate (9%) and fifth-worst in strikeout rate (20.7%). The Royals have targeted strike-throwers in their pitching pursuit this offseason, adding Will Smith and Nick Anderson to the bullpen, as well as agreeing to a deal with Chris Stratton that likely will be official on Friday.

Lugo fits in well with that group. He ranked ninth among NL starters last year with a 6% walk rate (minimum 25 starts).

¡°You¡¯ve got to make people beat you,¡± manager Matt Quatraro said. ¡°The more decisions hitters have to make, the tougher it is for them. You¡¯ve got Will Smith, Nick Anderson, Seth -- guys who throw strikes. It¡¯s not only going to make it tougher for the opponent, it's going to challenge our own guys on the staff to keep up with them. That¡¯s that healthy competition we¡¯re talking about.¡±