It feels as though day after day, the odds of Seth Lugo remaining with the Kansas City Royals slowly erode. Lugo has been great for the Royals for the last yea

The Cubs’ biggest need, with about a week before the July 31 deadline, is starting pitching. Lugo, who held the Cubs to four hits and two runs in six innings, will be highly sought after by contending teams if the Royals make him available. But their trade-deadline direction is unclear.

The Royals are making it clear to clubs that any deal for pitcher Seth Lugo would require controllable outfield help in return.