Headlines

  • White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn
  • Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade
  • Angels To Promote Christian Moore
  • Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski
  • Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Matt Duffy Expected To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

By Jeff Todd | September 6, 2016 at 10:00am CDT

TODAY: Duffy will likely remain active through the end of the week before having the surgery, Topkin tweets.

YESTERDAY: Newly-acquired Rays infielder Matt Duffy is expected to undergo season-ending surgery, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The procedure would “address the lingering soreness stemming from his earlier left Achilles injury,” per the report.

Duffy, acquired as the headliner in the swap that sent Matt Moore to the Giants, has continued to struggle at the plate since heading to Tampa Bay. All told, he owns only a .260/.312/.360 batting line over 364 plate appearances on the year. He has hit five long balls and swiped eight bases, though he has also been caught five times after going 12-for-12 on stolen base attempts a year ago.

The Rays are obviously banking on a return to form at the plate. Duffy benefited from a .336 BABIP in 2015, but nevertheless impressed with a solid .295/.334/.428 batting line. Even with some regression, a slightly above-average bat would conceivably make Duffy a highly valuable asset, as he rated as an outstanding defender at third with strong baserunning contributions last year. There are some questions there, too, however: Duffy hasn’t compiled stellar metrics since converting to short, though it’s a very small sample and he had primarily played at the hot corner of late, and his baserunning numbers took a huge dive in 2016 (-3.0 BsR, per Fangraphs).

Certainly, the nagging injury could go a ways toward explaining Duffy’s assorted struggles. He told Topkin that the soreness has lingered, with particular problems when playing on the turf infield at Tropicana Field. A surgical option has been on the table since June, the infielder noted, but the timeline for making a decision had shortened. “The only thing would be the recovery time,” said Duffy. “We want to be 100 percent sure that we’re ready to go by next season. I guess that’s one of the concerns.”

Tampa Bay still has plenty of time to make good on its end of the bargain, and certainly won’t be overly concerned with keeping Duffy on the field late this year with the postseason out of reach. The club controls him for four more seasons, and will be obligated only for the league minimum in 2017.

The need to replace Duffy for the rest of the season presents the Rays with many options, which Topkin details. Tim Beckham and Taylor Motter do not appear ticketed for the majors, he says, which could open the door for a move back to short for Brad Miller and/or some time there for Nick Franklin. Another player who could get a chance is prospect Daniel Robertson, though Topkin suggests the club may actually be “more likely” to go outside the organization and add a short-term veteran such as Alexei Ramirez.

Share 0 Retweet 25 Send via email0

Tampa Bay Rays Alexei Ramirez Brad Miller Daniel Robertson Matt Duffy Nick Franklin Taylor Motter Tim Beckham

Central Notes: Leake, Rosenthal, Jimenez, Hamilton
Main
Latest On David Wright
View Comments (14)
Post a Comment

14 Comments

  1. Rbase

    9 years ago

    Why not call up Beckham? He did a pretty decent job this year. Adding Ramirez for a month makes no sense for a team that is not competing and not desperate for a shortstop.

    Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      They sent out Beckham a few days ago because he wasn’t hustling, apparently.

      Reply
      • Rbase

        9 years ago

        Well, it has been a week since then, and the minor league season is finished. There’s no point in having him do nothing. Remember they kept B.J Upton for 6 years…

        Reply
        • sportnut

          9 years ago

          Agreed but upton was a much more talented and did get the message this kid is pure stupid. When he’s out that bad things happen to often

          Reply
    • Jizz Chasholm

      9 years ago

      He made some stupid base running decisions, and not might have cost them a win against Boston. Probably just want him to humble up and go hard on every play

      Reply
  2. Deke

    9 years ago

    Please, please, please work out another trade to send Duffy back to SF. Interestingly right after the Duffy trade SF went on a terrible skid. Coincidence? It’s blamed on the All Star break. I call BS. SF traded one of its favorite sons and that screwed up the Club House Chemistry. Nobody will admit this because they are supposed to be professional athletes but I am totally sure it had a more than minor negative effect. After all SF rarely traded away someone from the 25 man roster.
    Same thing happened to the A’s when they traded Cespedes. The team got a huge awakening to realize it was a business too and they were playing as one hell of a team.
    The exact same thing happens in businesses when layoffs happen. Productivity goes to crap for a while until people deal with the loss.
    You’re all gonna call me crazy but this is something I know happens. Just people are trying too hard to be manly to admit it.

    Reply
    • hopper15

      9 years ago

      I think your reaching with that comparison.

      Reply
      • cxcx

        9 years ago

        Seemed pretty reasonable to me.

        Reply
        • hopper15

          9 years ago

          Then I’m not sure how you explain why they were playing poor baseball well before Duffy exited the clubhouse August 1st. The poor situational hitting, the anemic slugging and the gascan closer goes well beyond his departure/clubhouse chemistry.

          Reply
      • Deke

        9 years ago

        I don’t know which comparison that you’re talking about but the comparison was never meant to be based on skills, more on chemistry and how much a player is liked. Duffy is adored by Players, Coaches and Fans. Taking him away has an effect, the question really remains how much.
        It’s not just that though. Players play well when they are comfortable and settled, that’s why they like to have No Trade Clauses. When a team like SF who have pretty much rarely traded anyone from the 25 man roster, even given reward contracts AND trade someone that was part of a 100% home grown infield… it sucks, it makes people uncomfortable thinking “I could be next”.
        So there’s an effect on chemistry but also comfort and we all know that 80% of the game is between the ears… I am 100% sure it contributed to the Giants tanking, but not sure exactly how much, it’s hard to quantify and because you can’t quantify it, people won’t believe it because it takes critical thinking, vision and a basic understanding of psychology.

        Reply
  3. Deke

    9 years ago

    But I don’t want him back for that reason. Eventually the team will deal with it and move on. I want him back because he’s a hell of a player!

    Reply
  4. kc38

    9 years ago

    Whoever wrote this article is obviously an idiot lol. I know everything there is to know about the Rays and Duffy was batting over .300 with the Rays until late last week he had a couple 0 for’s. He has been good in the field and there has not been one report of the Rays going outside the organization for help lol. There’s a month left and we have 2 guys who can play shortstop on the roster already why would the Rays go sign a old not good player for a month? Wtf. Beckham does not to deserve to come up he had two not hustling plays within 3 days he almost cost a run the first time and the second time he did. He thinks he looks so cool and is in the “show” he’s a p.o.s and he needs to get the message he needs to stay down to get it. He’ll be back next year

    Reply
    • Jeff Todd

      9 years ago

      I didn’t make up the idea of going outside the organization — that’s what Topkin suggests. I’d say he is familiar with the organization.

      Duffy’s batting results, overall, remain underwhelming. I’m sure he has been fine at short, with no glaring issues, and maybe he’ll be stellar there in the long run. But metrics don’t love him there as they did at third — so far. Very small sample, as I said.

      But believe what you wish. Just stop using acronyms for naughty words, please.

      Reply
  5. giantsphan12

    9 years ago

    As a huge Giants fan, I miss Duffy on the roster for his grit, hard work and club house presence. I wish him the best in his surgery and hope, as we all do in SF, that he comes back strong next spring and plays the way we know he can, even though he’s no longer a Giant

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn

    Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala

    Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue

    Royals Place Cole Ragans On IL With Rotator Cuff Strain

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Recent

    D-Backs Sign Matt Foster To Minor League Deal

    Yankees’ Jake Cousins Weighing Elbow Surgery

    Marlins To Select Freddy Tarnok

    Dodgers Plan To Activate Emmet Sheehan This Week

    Christian Montes De Oca To Undergo Lower Back Surgery

    IL Activations: Walker, Sanchez

    Twins To Place Royce Lewis On IL Due To Hamstring Strain

    Tyler O’Neill Returned From Rehab Due To Renewed Shoulder Soreness

    Shaun Anderson Elects Free Agency

    Reds Claim Ryan Vilade, Designate Jacob Hurtubise

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version