Red Sox were one of 4 bidders for free agent starter who signed with Royals

The Red Sox had interest in free agent starting pitcher Seth Lugo but the righty signed with the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

A source told MassLive the deal has been finalized. It reportedly is for three years, $45 million. It includes a player opt-out clause after the second season.

The Red Sox met with Lugo’s representatives and were one of four bidders for him. It’s unclear if Boston was willing to offer three years.

The 34-year-old became a full-time starter with the Padres in 2023 after logging 227 relief appearances with the Mets from 2018-22. He went 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA, 3.83 FIP and 1.20 WHIP in 26 starts (146 ⅓ innings) for San Diego. Opponents batted .249 against him.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has stressed that starting pitching is Boston’s top priority this offseason. But Boston has yet to add a major league starter.

Boston finished 22nd among major league teams in starter ERA (4.68) in 2023. It was 27th in starter total innings (774 ⅓), which overworked the bullpen. The Sox finished with the fourth most reliever innings (655 ⅔).

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There are still plenty of free agent starting pitchers still available, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Marcus Stroman, Lucas Giolito, Shōta Imanaga, Jack Flaherty and James Paxton.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Tuesday the Red Sox will meet with Yamamoto in the coming days.