Royals left-hander Danny Duffy was a popular name in trade rumors during the offseason, but he ended up staying put. Duffy remains a trade candidate, however, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. It would take “the right package of prospects” to land the 29-year-old Duffy, Cafardo writes. Duffy’s under control through 2021 for a total of $60MM. He’s off to a rough start this year – albeit over two just two appearances – having allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits and five walks (with eight strikeouts) in 9 2/3 innings.
More from around the game…
- There are teams interested in signing free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera to a minor league deal, per Cafardo. It’s unclear, though, whether the 33-year-old would be open to signing a minors pact. An inability to contribute in the field or on the base paths have likely been the main culprits for Cabrera’s unemployment, and it doesn’t help that he hit an uninspiring .285/.324/.423 (98 wRC+) across 666 plate appearances between the White Sox and Royals in 2017.
- Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall suffered a right calf injury Saturday and will likely head to the disabled list, manager Terry Francona told Joe Noga of cleveland.com and other reporters. Chisenhall previously missed 45 games last year with a right calf issue, notes Noga, who adds that the Indians could recall Tyler Naquin from Triple-A to take his place. Naquin went to the minors Friday to make room for the just-activated Michael Brantley.
- Left-handed reliever Dan Jennings’ deal with the Brewers is worth $750K, and it includes up to $1.075MM more in games pitched incentives, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Jennings, whom the Rays released before the season, has already made five appearances and tossed 5 1/3 innings with Milwaukee. Thus far, he has allowed one run on four hits, with three strikeouts against two walks.
- Giants righty Jeff Samardzija is aiming to make his season debut around April 19, Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group writes. In the meantime, the plan is for Samardzija to pitch in extended spring training Monday and then make a minor league rehab start. The 33-year-old innings-eater has been out since late March with a strained pectoral muscle. Thanks to Samardzija’s injury and ace Madison Bumgarner’s broken left pinkie, the Giants are without two of their best starters.
Bochy said first week in May for Jeff S.
Duffy won’t get much now he’s been bad
But you can’t really judge Duffy off an opening say start he had one bad inning during a cold raining day and then going 8 days in between starts and he only had one bad inning( the first inning he had control issues) once he gets in a rhythm he will be fine take out 2 of the 10 innings and he’s got a 0.00 era and very low whip
Royals-Brewers pipeline deal? Lord knows the Brewers need him and more…….
If the Royals and the Brewers do hook up on a trade…I think it will multiple players changing teams. Duffy, Merrifield and Herrera for a gaggle of Brewer prospects.
Could you see the Royals trading within the division to Minnesota?
I could…not sure how Dayton feels about.. There has been Royals – Brewers trade talk going back to last year. Duffy and Merrifield seem like natural fits in Milwaukee.
You won’t get a lot for what you propose.
So if you take away all the runs he gives up this year, he’ll have a 0.00 ERA. Makes sense.
I don’t think he has ever been a really good starter worth a big prospect haul. He’s closer to being a good #3 than a good #1 pitcher, and he is far from being an innings eater. He’s on a nice deal, but no way I’d give up multiple valuable pieces for him.
Duffy isn’t ‘bad’ he just isn’t great to start with. He is a very solid 3/4 type that doesn’t give up a lot of runs but also doesn’t go deep into games. He maxes out in 6 innings.
Yeah it could be a trade possibility if the royals lower their asking price, duffy is a quality major league starter but that contract doesn’t hold much in the way of excess value leaving the royals without much leverage. It’ll take some pitching injuries for a team to want to tango on that deal.
The Yanks could use Melky on a low salary/major league deal
Actually, Melky Cabrera hit an “uninspiring” .285/.324/.423 over those 666 PA’s in 2017 along with only 74 SO’s which was pretty much on par with his 13 year MLB career average, not too bad for a switch-hitter who would still be a fine DH option for some AL club.
I’m surprised Cabrera hasn’t found a team yet. He’s a consistent .280 hitter with 12-16 homers and 75-80 RBI’s. Sure his defense isn’t great, but I would think some team would pick him up as a DH/4th outfielder.
RBIs aren’t a skill, and an outfielder who has no defensive value who hits 12-16 home runs isn’t an asset.
I mean, he’s kind of a clutch batter. He’s a career .282 hitter with RISP, and a ,292 hitter with runners on base, so he’s good at driving in runs.
RBIs aren’t a skill.
To all those directly above, I agree. I thought Melky made a lot of since considering our injury situation in the OF. While his obp is below average he makes good contact and has some power especially as a lefty vs rhp. He could serve the Yanks well as a fill in and later of off the bench once guys come back. He could even be flipped at the deadline if a roster spot was needed.
Yankees need to see if Brien Taylor is willing to make a comeback. Come on guys, I’m ready!
Cueto is better than Samardzija
Why do people think merrifield is available? It’s his 2nd year in the majors. Not even in arbitration years. Why would they trade him? They are trying to cut payroll not cut cheap contracts