Should the Royals pursue Danny Duffy?


Pitching this offseason for the Royals is an area where the team must improve. The team won't, and can’t, be searching for top of the line starters. The top starters on the market won't be willing to sign with the Royals after several poor seasons. Trading for starting pitching is always on the table. Many of the types of starters I believe that would come to Kansas City would be the ones looking to make a comeback on league minimum deals. Danny Duffy in my opinion would be a perfect arm the team should bring into the mix. Last season Duffy spent time with the Rangers organization. The 34-year old's ability to stay healthy has been the story in the middle of his career. While in a Royals uniform, the left-hander in 2012 tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow forcing him to get Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the season. Following his surgery in 2012, he seemed to be in the clear. Unfortunately that wasn't in the baseball gods plans. After signing a 5-year deal worth $65 million dollars, Duffy landed on the 15-day disabled list (now the injured list) with a Grade 1 oblique strain and left elbow impingement in the 2017 season. Despite his injury history, Duffy had a good showing while a member of the Rangers organization as a reliever. The transition to the bullpen seemed to turn the left-hander's career around, at least in Triple-A. While a member of the Round Rock Express, the 34-year old was primarily used as a reliever. However, during a rehab assignment in Double-A, the Rangers’ manager took notice: "He’s come along really well,” Bochy said. “He feels good about where he’s at.” During his time in Double-A and Triple A, Duffy's stats were quite a bit uneven. The 34-year-old appeared in 24 games in Double-A, and his numbers were solid. Duffy as a reliever in the minors was good and bad. The former Royal, while pitching in Double-A, posted some good stats in 24 games. In the 24 games that the veteran appeared in he posted an ERA of 2.30 in 31.1 innings pitched. The last time Duffy pitched in the majors was back in 2021 with the Royals. With Kansas City the left-hander showed he could throw the fastball in the upper 90s as a starter. The two year age difference will likely impact the velocity of his fastball. Duffy's track record in the big leagues was solid while a member of the Royals pitching staff. Duffy in my opinion makes a lot of sense for Kansas City. The veteran gives the team options for either the rotation or the bullpen. As mentioned earlier in the article, the team could potentially sign the veteran to a league minimum deal with an invite to spring training and see what he has left in the tank. If nothing else the left-hander could be a good depth piece in Triple-A next season. 

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