Third baseman Matt Duffy has cleared release waivers after being designated for assignment by the Rays and is now a free agent, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter).
The Tampa Bay organization explored the trade market for Duffy before making the move to designate him and clearly didn’t find much in the way of interest. The 28-year-old (29 in January) was projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $2.9MM in what would’ve been his final trip through the arbitration process, and after he was limited to just 46 unproductive games in 2019, other clubs apparently didn’t find him to be a particularly palatable option — even in a buy-low capacity.
Injuries have devastated what looked early on to be a promising career for Duffy. The 2012 18th-round pick debuted to minimal fanfare with the Giants in 2014, but his 2015 season earned him a runner-up showing in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Duffy slashed .295/.334/.428 with 12 homers, 28 doubles, six triples and 12 steals (in 12 tries) that year — all while playing brilliantly rated defense at third base. He got off to a slow start in 2016 but was still highly regarded enough that the Rays acquired him as a focal point in the trade that sent lefty Matt Moore to San Francisco.
Duffy was injured at the time of the trade but returned to make his Rays debut in mid August. However, he was only able to suit up for 21 games before that same Achilles injury ended his season and ultimately required surgical repair. While he was recovering from that surgery, Duffy underwent a second procedure to remove loose bodies from his heel. He ultimately missed the entire 2017 season.
Duffy dealt with a hamstring injury in 2018 but was healthy for most of the season and in many ways resembled the player the Rays initially hoped they’d acquired. His already modest power was notably absent, but Duffy hit for average and got on base (.294/.361/.368 in 560 plate appearances) while playing quality defense in the eyes of Ultimate Zone Rating. Hamstring issues once again sidelined Duffy for much of the 2019 season, however, and the Rays turned to other options in his absence — most notably Yandy Diaz and Mike Brosseau.
Now that he’s a free agent, Duffy should find other clubs with interest on minor league pacts or perhaps on incentive-laden deals with a lower base rate than his previously projected level of pay. Although he’s never consistently hit for power in the Majors, Duffy has generally shown the ability to hit for a high average (which helps to mitigate his pedestrian walk rate) and has shown good bat-to-ball skills (16.1 percent career strikeout rate). Paired with a well-regarded glove at third base and the ability to handle shortstop as well, that should pique the interest of a team with some needs on the left side of the infield.
Kind of surprised he didn’t get claimed when guys like Nick Martini and Dustin Garneau are getting picked up
His health/injury history must still be a factor
Yeah. I’ve seen a lot of Achilles injuries and they are almost always at least somewhat damaged goods after that. Usually the Achilles just pops again but if that doesn’t happen it’s because they are compensating with some other parts of their lower body to keep pressure off of it which can result in other lower body injuries. My guess is that would explain the hamstring problem. I’ve seen guys tear their ACLs and MCLs after Achilles injuries. Then when they finally start trusting their Achilles it just pops on them again. Most of the Achilles injuries I know have been in football but I imagine a ruptured Achilles is a ruptured Achilles no matter which sport you play. I hope this guy can turn it around but I wouldn’t give him anything other than a cheap 1 year deal or a minor league deal. Even after that, he would have to become a legit star before I would ever offer him a multi-year major league contract. His lower body is probably a ticking time bomb. It’s less a question of if he will get injured again and more a question of when it will happen and which part of his lower body it will happen to. He will be lucky if it is just the hammy again and that is not good thing. Hammy injuries suck. They are just better relative to ruptured Achilles and torn ACLs/MCLs.
Quite right! People always forget body compensation.
It can be quite unconcious but it is a thing…..
If you pick him up, he goes to arbitration with the projected $2.9 million. I don’t think either of the others have reached arbitration and/or have options remaining.
As a free agent he probably doesn’t get $2.9 million.
Not surprised, especially with the rule 5 coming up. He’ll most likely sign a minors deal with an invite.
Arbitration projection too high. Teams want a reset on that just like the story says…..
He probably wants to head back to the west coast but I can see someone like Baltimore snagging him.
Well he’s a free agent so…
A website covering the Orioles made that very same suggestion. They currently have Rio Ruiz as the probable every day 3B. I’m guessing Matt Duffy would be an alternative.
I could see the Cubs being interested in him, as a back up middle IF. His LH bat and contact rate could help.
Duff-man is RH, not LH … 🙂
Sorry I definitely had that wrong.
He hits right-handed, not sure if that would change their interest though.
He smells like a 2020 version of Descalso.
Shoeless Dan!
long beach st
Diamondbacks? Lots of former Giants players (ex. Gregor Blanco, Kelby Tomlinson, etc.) sign with Arizona on ML deals for some reason.
Mets would do well to take a look at him..
I expect a fan from the Royals or Marlins might say this……not from a Mets fan who expects & wants the Best !……….think bigger……like Kris Bryant or Rendon !
The Mets think bigger? budman is being realistic.
Agreed, although I don’t see the Mets as a fit. Too many 3B on the roster already.
+1 for the ‘pedestrian walk rate’
Nats should pick him up
I had this same thought. The ability to play multiple infield positions is right up Rizzo’s alley. You have to figure Kevin Long could at least revive Duffy’s power. There’s something a bit Daniel Murphy-like about him.
Welcome to the Phillies
The Pirates and let him battle Frazier at 2nd or Moran at 3rd although limited power there.
The line “can play multiple positions” should almost ALWAYS be followed with “but not very well”. There are exceptions, but not too many.
Duffy is at best an average defensive 3B who should only be moved around the infield at the manager’s peril. Good guy, decent OBP over the years, always gets hurt, no power. Anything over a minor deal is an overpay.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see a Giants reunion here. They can use the infield help and there are still lots of guys on that team that he knows.
Maybe the Indians will take a look at him.
Agree- sign to minor league deal with an invite the ST, he may fit well until Nolan Jones gets the call. He then could transition to a utility man for the remainder of the year.
Would like to see a minor league deal with the Giants and a spring training invite. Also a get out clause if he’s not called up by June 15 or something close to that.
He’s got a ring and there’s little risk for the Giants giving this guy a shot. Plus, he lost his famous big fat cat a few years ago so a homecoming is in order.
They gave MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz college stats. That’s cool.
I could def see the Os pursuing him as it would allow them to non tender Villar and save a bunch of cash. Hanser would play 2nd with Duffy at SS or at third depending who else they sign.
So which combo would people take at third and short.
Didi and Duffy or
Moose and Arcia ?
Moose and Arcia. I’d much rather give Arcia 400+ PAs than to Duffy.
This guy has future Milwaukee Brewer written all over him.
As a Tigers fan, there was a time when I expected my team to shop at the top of the market, and I was rarely disappointed. Now, god damn it, I just really want to see them sign Matt Duffy. Oh how times have changed.