Dodgers to acquire LHP Danny Duffy, cash for a player to be named later

While it looks like the Max Scherzer sweepstakes could be in doubt, the Dodgers moved on to another pitcher they’ve had interest in.

Duffy is currently on the injured list with a flexor strain but expected to return. He has no-trade protection he’s expected to waive. Long a starter, he could wind up pitching in a high-leverage, multi-inning relief spot for the Dodgers. Duffy is a free agent this winter.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021

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Update (July 29, 4:38 p.m.): It’s official.

The Dodgers acquired LHP Danny Duffy and cash considerations from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated OF DJ Peters for assignment.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 29, 2021

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Danny Duffy, a Southern California native, is on his way to Los Angeles. The Royals’ starter, as Jeff Passan said above, is on the injured list, but when he has pitched, he’s been pretty good.

Duffy, 32, has a 2.51 ERA, 3.39 FIP and a 17.1 K-BB%. His 25.8 K% would be a career-best. The southpaw is a 5-pitch pitcher: 4-seam fastball, slider, changeup, sinker and curveball. He throws all pitches at least 10% of the time, with his 4-seamer and slider being his two most frequently used offerings.

With a seemingly full starting rotation and Duffy not being of the caliber of a Scherzer or Jose Berrios, his immediate future might be in the bullpen. I posited on Twitter that this could mean Tony Gonsolin is involved in another deal for a bigger name (Scherzer, Berrios, Craig Kimbrel, etc.), as Duffy could slot into the rotation. He could also serve in the Julio Urias role from the 2020 postseason — although, they don’t look like they’re going to go very far if you’re judging by today’s performance.

Either way, it’s always good to add a quality pitcher. He might start, he might relieve — either way, he’s a good arm and checks a lot of what the Dodgers look for in their pitchers.

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The return is dependent on how much Duffy actually pitch, it seems. If he’s the guy he was in his first six starts of the season (1.26 ERA, 28 K%), the return is going to be a better caliber of prospect. If not, the players to be named later probably won’t register too much on most folks’ radar. Duffy is also a free agent after the season, so he’s (right now) a rental.

All in all, a solid deal (even not knowing who’s going the other way). Let’s just hope this isn’t the only move made in the next 22 hours.