Sources: Royals keeping Lugo on multiyear deal

Right-hander Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals are finalizing a multiyear contract extension, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Sunday.

Lugo, 35, had been regarded as one of the best potential trade candidates this deadline season, and one of the top free agent arms this winter.

Lugo has posted ERAs of 3.60 or lower for the past five seasons despite having below-average fastball velocity and good-not-great strikeout rates. The right-hander’s ability to strand runners and limit hard contact comes in part due to his nine different pitches, which gives him the flexibility to adjust in-game — a luxury shared by only a handful of MLB starters.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan contributed to this report.