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Seth Lugo 2020 Outlook: An unhappy, but useful Roto reliever
5 years agoLugo has long expressed his desire to be a starter, but the Mets have turned him into a very valuable relief piece that can be an asset to fantasy players even if he does not return to the rotation at any point. That seems impossible now that New York has acquired further starting pitching depth in Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha. Even if he does not pick up many saves, Lugo does have some real Roto appeal. For the first time last season, Lugo did not make a single start for the Mets, and he came through with his best season yet. He punched out a career-high 11.70 batters per nine innings and his walk rate shrunk to a 1.80 mark. Lugo gets enough work to be an asset in the strikeout department as the Mets are not hesitant to deploy him for a few innings, and that approach should likely not be altered even though there will be a managerial change. Lugo can be even more valuable in NL-only leagues, but he is one of the better relievers to pick in any format once the surefire closers or Top 25 relievers are off the board. New York is expecting a rebound season from Edwin Diaz, but if he falters again, Lugo could get the first chance to replace him, so there is some potential for saves if you draft him.
