The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to trade for Danny Duffy in exchange for a player to be named later and cash. The former starter of the Kansas City Royals is currently on the injured list due to a flexor strain in his left forearm. The southpaw pitcher seems to have regained his old form this season. Before his injury, Duffy pitched to a 2.51 ERA, 3.38 FIP, with 65 strikeouts and 22 walks in 61 innings. Those stats are comparable to his 9.6 strikeouts and 3.2 walks per nine innings. His WHIP is 1.21, which is the second-lowest of his career. Duffy’s return from injury could be in mid-to-late August. This should allow enough time for Duffy to pitch before September and qualify him to pitch in the playoffs.
Duffy was a solid pitcher for the Royals in the early stages of his career but then suffered a setback. He passed out in the drive-thru line at a Burger King restaurant in 2017 while under the influence of alcohol. Duffy was arrested and charged with driving under the influence – and subsequently pleaded guilty. His ERA rose by a full point, from 3.81 to 4.88, the following season. Duffy’s ERA has been high since that arrest. But this season seems to be different.
Dodgers Acquire Danny Duffy Breakdown
This is the final season of Duffy’s contract with the Royals. Danny has been on the Royals for his entire 11-season career and has 10/5 rights. This means that Duffy was able to veto a trade. Any player that has both been in the majors for 10 years, and been on the same team in the majors for five years, has the ability to veto a trade. Because Danny Duffy is unable to play until next month, the Dodgers could acquire him for very little. The Dodgers provided the Royals with a list of players, and the Royals can select players from the list later. The Royals will also receive cash in the deal.
The Dodgers have the option to use Duffy out of the bullpen or as a starter. Lefthanders are always a useful tool out of the bullpen. Duffy has been both a starter and reliever in the same season previously. In 2016, Duffy started 26 games and came out of the bullpen 16 times in relief appearances. In that 2016 season, he pitched to a 3.51 ERA with 9.4 strikeouts and only 2.1 walks per nine innings. He also struck out 188 batters in 179 2/3 innings with a 3.83 FIP and 1.14 WHIP. Danny has made 30 relief appearances in his 11-year career, including one this season.
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