The Royals parted ways with one of the faces of their franchise this evening, announcing a trade to send Danny Duffy to the Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named later. Kansas City will include an undisclosed amount of cash to offset some or all of his remaining salary. To create 40-man roster space, the Dodgers designated outfielder DJ Peters for assignment.
Duffy had full no-trade rights as a 10-and-5 player (one with ten years of major league service, the five most recent having been with the same team). However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported a few weeks ago the Southern California native might be willing waive that protection to facilitate a deal to a West Coast club. That has indeed proven to be the case. The southpaw is currently on the 10-day injured list with a flexor strain in his throwing forearm, but Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore told reporters this week he’d be able to return at some point this season, perhaps near the end of August.
The move brings to an end — at least temporarily — Duffy’s long tenure in the Royals organization. Kansas City selected him out of high school in the third round of the 2007 draft. He made his big league debut in 2011 and has been with the club for over a decade, crossing the ten-year service milestone last month.
It was an unequivocally successful Kansas City tenure for Duffy, who emerged as a fixture in the rotation for almost the entirety of that time. He’s pitched to a 3.95 ERA across 1172 1/3 innings over the course of his career. A key piece of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team, Duffy signed a five-year, $65MM extension in January 2017.
That deal expires at the end of the season, though. With the Royals in fourth place in the AL Central, there’s plenty of sense in moving his final few months of team control to add some younger talent. For Duffy, the trade serves him well geographically and gives him an opportunity to pitch in a pennant race at the end of the year.
Of course, nothing stops the Royals from pursuing a reunion with Duffy this winter. He’s beloved amongst team personnel and fans. It seems that’s reciprocated, as the 32-year-old has gone on record in the past about his affinity for the organization and the city. The Royals haven’t been shy about pursuing free agent reunions with members of their mid-2010’s teams in recent years, and it’s possible they’ll take a similar course of action with Duffy during the upcoming offseason.
For the stretch run, the Dodgers are adding a pitcher who quietly had a fantastic start to the year — one that contributed to the Royals’ league-best record over the first few weeks of the season. Through his first seven starts, Duffy tossed 41 2/3 innings of 1.94 ERA/2.34 FIP ball. He struck out a lofty 28.2% of opposing hitters in that time against a tiny 7.1% walk rate and looked to have returned to the mid-rotation form he showed during his peak seasons.
Duffy landed on the IL with a flexor strain on May 17 and missed around five weeks. He built back arm strength on the fly upon his return, working shorter stints at the big league level rather than embarking upon a rehab assignment. Duffy stretched back out to five innings by early July, but he eventually went down with the same injury and landed on the IL on July 20.
It’s not clear how much volume Los Angeles can expect from Duffy, given that he won’t have much time to rehab from his latest injury. The Dodgers have been known to be on the hunt for starting pitching, but it’s also possible they activate Duffy as a multi-inning relief weapon. Whatever the role, the hope is he’ll be able to help the Dodgers in their battle with the Giants and Padres for the NL West and during their postseason run. The Duffy addition didn’t deter the Dodgers from putting together a prospect package likely to land Max Scherzer from the Nationals.
Duffy is making $15.5MM this season, around $5.4MM of which remains to be paid. It’s not precisely clear how much of the tab the Royals are picking up. Duffy’s luxury tax figure (calculated by the contract’s average annual value, not actual salary) is $13MM — so he carries an approximate $4.5MM luxury number the rest of the way. The Dodgers have already exceeded $260MM in luxury tax obligations, according to Jason Martinez of Roster Resource. That puts them in the highest bracket, so they’ll pay a 62.5% tax on any expenditures they take on this summer (on Duffy’s contract and other potential acquisitions).
To determine their return, the Royals will be free to choose from an agreed-upon list of players in the Dodgers’ system. They’ll have up to six months to make a decision, with the PTBNL setup particularly helpful for teams to continue to evaluate prospects after last year’s minor league season was canceled. Players selected in the 2021 draft cannot be traded as players to be named later until after the season is finished.
Peters has long been considered one of the more interesting position player prospects in the Dodgers organization. His combination of big raw power and speed has impressed scouts, and he’s generally been productive at the minor league level despite a sky-high strikeout rate. That hasn’t been the case this season, though, as the right-handed hitter has stumbled to a .223/.319/.372 line over 204 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers could trade Peters before tomorrow’s deadline. If they don’t, he’ll find himself on waivers. Between his proximity to the big leagues (Peters actually made a brief debut this year), decent prospect pedigree, and pair of remaining minor league option years, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he finds himself on another roster in the coming days.
Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported that Duffy was being traded to the Dodgers. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the Royals would receive a player to be named later. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the inclusion of cash in the deal.
Solid pickup honestly. Think this means they 100% moved on from Scherzer. Your move Giants
Doesn’t mean that at all.
@vtsdave it’s their move if you think trades are like turns in Candyland lol
Might as well go the Padres then the giants . Padres have a better chance .
Better chance at what?
Disappointing their fans.
I see the giants getting Jon Gray
Gibson to who then you think?
TOR
With the pitch that the Giants are poised to be the underdog the Rockies can only dream of? “Help us take down the Dodgers…live vicariously through us…” Yeah, not going to happen. If Gray is traded, it won’t be within the division unless, of course, it’s a huge overpay. Giants won’t overpay for Gray. Then again.. the Rockies FO hasn’t exactly blown any minds with their intelligence.
Duffy might be the back of the rotation starter they wanted but they might still go after a top of the rotation arm to replace Bauer.
Ya sure because you know Duffy > Sherzer after all.
I get that Duffy has that nice n’ shiny ERA but you’re just fooling yourself if you don’t realize he’s hitting above his weight class.
This isn’t another trade.This literally a paid giveaway.When does MLB step in & stop this perceived COLLUSION
Chill, Ruxin.
Sox gave me up more 2 separate trades today,for a 2nd baseman & a rental bullpen piece lol.
Ha! Ruxin!
I got that reference. The League was funny.
Huh?
Duffy could be used as a trade piece and flip him
No. He waived his 10/5 veto rights to go to LA
No. Duffy waived his 10/5 veto rights to go to LA
Hes not 10/5 anymore
Says the Giants fan…
Solid? As in solid waste of a roster spot including a 60 day IL spot.
This didn’t age well
Want to get away!
What do you mean? Moved on from Scherzer bc they are looking to acquire Duffy for end rotation? This is a team that has consistently had 7-8 SP options (on a normal team) and only continue to add.
This aged well
The awaited counter to Padres going for scherzer. Shots fired. Giants turn to go grab someone. Should be a fun final 2 months of the season in the NL West.
Gray to giants?
I sure hope not as a Giants fan. Berrios or Scherzer (if they’re in that sweepstakes still) or I’d rather just roll the dice with what we have to be honest.
Teams don’t counter trades like that. There is a bigger picture to look at when building a team.
This leaves Berrios for the Giants… hope they don’t overpay though
Berrios makes a ton of sense for the Giants and I never understood why they weren’t heavily linked to them.
Because this is the first year of the Giants window, they don’t want to have it close early by gutting the farm for Berrios, who’s apparently highly sought after. Bart headlining a package for Berrios + Tyler Duffey would be fair game IMO but Luciano and Matos should not be moved, Heliot Ramos may not be the best prospect ever but he’s at a position of need, has power, and is a year away from contending for an OF spot, so moving him doesn’t make too much sense either. If Twins are asking for one of those 3 I don’t see how it’d make sense.
I would be surprised if the Dodgers don’t go get Scherzer or Berrios still. I can’t imagine Duffy cost much in terms of prospects.
I think the dodgers will get sherzer and perhaps the nats closer
Well, I’ve got some bad news….
Hand was dealt to the Blue Jays earlier today…..Scherzer is going to Padres.
Do they plan on using a 7 man rotation?
This is a good point, but Duffy was one of the Giants main SP targets. This would mean they’re probably going to be more aggressive to outbid the Dodgers for Berrios because they’d not want to be left empty handed
BleedingBlue162232
5 hours ago
I would be surprised if the Dodgers don’t go get Scherzer or Berrios still. I can’t imagine Duffy cost much in terms of prospects.
I guess I aimed a little low? Very happy that Friedman didn’t 🙂
What would be an overpay?
Bart
If Twins include Tyler Duffey I dont think Bart would be an overpay at all. Much better value than trading him for Bryant
@Kingslayers Bart would be an overpay I think for a rental, but for a year and a half of Berrios, I’m pretty sure the twins would at least start at that point. For Gray, it’d definitely be an overpay. Even possibly for Gibson, who even with a year and a half on contract is perhaps playing above his level. For Scherzer though, I’m pretty sure someone, whoever it is that does land him, they’ll have to overpay.
Very solid pick up . I have always been a fan of Duffy. Guess that will change now.
Love to trade for a guy on the IL to bolster my injured rotation.
Damaged goods
Big boys making big moves. Exciting day.
Perfect fit for the Dodgers who have so many injury issues with their pitching staff that they do not have to worry about when Danny Duffy gets hurt, he comes already injured.
The Dodgers have no certainty with Bauer being out, Kershaw injured, Gonsolin/Price/Gray who all seem to be four or five inning pitchers. Nearly impossible for Duffy to get his arm built back up to help the rotation and does not seem like a fit for the bullpen. He is a free agent in 2022. He should be ready to pitch five or six innings by April.
I cannot find any reason why the Dodgers would want Danny Duffy!
He’s been really good and I think you’ll be surprised how little they gave up for him
Gonsolin, Price and Gray are all on inning limits and being slowly stretched out.
I think it’s the Padres who are the league leader in pitcher injuries
Mets?
good point
Duffy is twice injured this season and coming back from his first injury, he was so fragile that he only managed to reach 5 IP in one of his six most recent starts, so coming off a second injury, it seems impossible that Duffy can even get stretched out the rest of the way to even match the innings Gonsolin/Price/Gray provide.
I honestly think this trade was made with Duffy moving to the bullpen in the playoffs.
Duffy, Price, Gray, and Gonso will split the load but I don’t expect Danny to pitch more than a Blake Snell start, usually 5 innings.
What you’re saying is he isn’t the top of the rotation guy the Dodgers need?
I don’t understand this trade. He want be ready to pitch until the end of August.
I suspect that the Dodger are looking to also acquire another starting pitcher. They didn’t give up much to get Duffy. By the end of August we’ll see if anyone else gets hurt or falters. Doesn’t seem like Gray is the answer this year. Price may get returned to the bullpen. Urias has never pitched this much before. We’ll see how Gonsolin performs.
He only agreed to leave KC because the Dodgers have white uniforms with blue trim.
he might have been a dodgers fan as a little boy
Yea I like this. It’s not Scherzer or any other big name starter but if he can come back healthy he will help this rotation out a lot. They need it right now bad
He will get 4 starts. 5 max.
Farhan busy looking at who just got released instead of trying to improve the roster.
those two things aren’t necessarily exclusive of each other, but yeah i would like the Giants to make a trade for some good starting pitching
During the royals run in 2014 and 2015 they used him out of the pen…could be a very effective late inning guy
Seriously though, baseball is way more fun for all of us fans when there are countless moves being made at the deadline and we are all frantically refreshing our screens to see what move happens next. Should be a fun last couple months
“Should be a fun last couple months.”
Not really……
Most here don’t watch the games. They look at statistics…..maybe watch some highlights. Buy into the media narratives.
MLBTR’s views and number of posts always go down when focus turns to the play on the field.
Watch.
Cheer up Sam.
Most might not but as for myself, I love watching baseball. As a Reds fan I’ve always been an NL only guy but with the MLB Extra Innings package I’ve found myself watching more and more AL baseball just because that hasn’t always been an option for me. Even when I was younger in the 80’s WTBS and WGN had a plethora of Braves and Cubs games on (before the lucrative tv contract days) so it was always NL or bust.
You’re in a very small minority here Joe.
Kids here that didn’t watch the games (and never played baseball) will drag out dozens of statistics to show that you didn’t see what you saw.
LOL
This is Kafka’s world.
Someone disagrees with me so they must not watch baseball or know anything! No one could disagree with me if they understood the TRUTH!
Stats exist because our intuition is very often wrong.
“They look at statistics…..maybe watch some highlights. Buy into the media narratives.”
Looking at statistics is important specifically to combat incorrect narratives. I don’t mind criticisms, but criticisms that have no consistency or basis and are just the ramblings of a discontented old man are nothing short of pathetic.
Don’t think this will take the Dodgers out of Berrios or Scherzer. Ruiz is hot and a hot commodity and the Dodgers catching tanks are deep. I expect to see him moved for either Scherzer berrios or kimbrell(and others).
“Return at some point this season, perhaps near the end of August”…… so theirs a chance he may not even pitch this year if he has any setbacks and lose the pennant. Good season he’s having but not going to hemos us anytime soon.
Maybe he gets healthy and plays an important role, maybe not. Probably cost a bag of balls. Why not?
Where is this year’s Randy Myers and how can we make sure the Giants get him?
Good luck to Danny. Thank you for signing my baseball card in 2019 for me. And even though they technically (at fanfest) don’t really allow selfies or photos, thank you for posing for a photo as well.
Duffy didn’t sign anything for me, but he’s a great pickup for LA. Seems like he kinda got lost in the last minute shuffle.
Dodgers are getting a very quality human being. Duff is loved by the fans here in KC. “Bury me a Royal” is what he was quoted as saying. Atleast he’s got that white and blue. I’m hoping we resign him in the off-season. I will be rooting for the Dodgers so my dude can get another ring.
This is looking like the Royals are letting him go to play for a contender during the stretch run, in an area he’s from. They’re even paying some or all of his salary. Watch how little they get back. It’s their way of thanking him for years of service
This has all the earmarks of Dayton Moore. A unique human being running the classiest organization in MLB.
Maybe the PTBNL is Trevor Bauer with most of his contract picked up.
Probably not. But one can dream right?
I’d guess the prospect is based on how much production Duffy gives them; he went on the 10 day IL recently right?
If hes healthy could be a decent prospect like Bobby Miller or Diego Cartaya.
Not in a million years will it be Miller or Cartaya. Think outside top 30 of Dodger farm system.
It’ll be a Cory Seager doppelgänger that is in low A
Giants are still Totally in on Max. He gets to choose his destination. SF over SD all Day. And he can sign his massive extension here as well.
Weak! Some time in August?
Cost the Dodgers a PTBNL and they are getting cash back. They’re not done.
This is such a good trade for the Dodgers as long as the PTNBL isn’t ranked highly, but a 1-1 swap for a guy that can improve your bullpen as a swingman is very good value. Could play an Alex Wood role for them in the playoffs which is huge. Coming from a Giants fan I’d have liked for them to make this trade.
Think Urias of 2020.
Not much of return for the Royals.
Could be Josiah Gray in return？
I’d guess someone in the 45 fv range. Bobby Miller? Kody Hoese?
for a month+ of an injured pitcher?
Miller or Hoese seem like too high of a price for an injured rental who has struggled recently, before this year.
If the return for Duffy was that high, why not take those players now?
Neither is restricted from being traded.
I bet it’s lower value guys and the Royals were given a choice between a couple of them.
What did you like about Miller and Hoese when you watched them pitch?
If you knew anything you would know Hoese is a third baseman, old man
Steve, Miller has moved up to #56 in the updated top 100 BA prospect list. I’m willing to bet FanGraphs raises him too. They also have Amaya as a 50 fv right now. He isn’t doing that great at Tulsa, so he may drop.
All the Royals can get for Duffy is a player to be named from the Dodgers? Duffy is a pretty good pitcher, not on the level of Scherzer or Berrios, but still pretty good. That player to be named better be pretty good. Otherwise, there had to be a better deal for the Royals out there
10 and 5 rights
Rental
Injury concerns
The PTBNL is probably a list of prospects the Royals can choose from depending on health/availability, production, etc
10-5 rights
Dodgers are good at Bullying small to mid market teams. They pretty much got Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs for free.
Dumb post!
erlcl – I agree he’s a quality pitcher, when healthy. But he is useless to the Royals at this point. if I’m the Royals, chances are that I am paying his salary anyway for him, so why not try and get something/anything for him. Royals can always re-sign him in the off season.
If I’m the opposing team, why would I pay his salary when there is not guarantee he can come back and pitch this year and then he can just walkaway at season’s end? Anything I send you is a win for the Royals at this point.
To some degree, maybe. But this is the first time he’s had both an ERA and FIP under 4.50 since 2017. He’s a rental, and he’s injured. Royals are paying a portion/all of his salary which should help the return. They should get more than what the Pirates got for Tyler Anderson, more of a low-end 45-FV to high-end 40+ FV.
Royals throwing in cash as well? The PTBNL better be someone with a pulse
Yeah, knowing they are covering his salary makes me think they could be getting someone like Amaya or Hoese.
Steve, I doubt the dodgers would trade Hoese for an injured rental. This would be selling low on a player who was drafted in the first round a couple of years ago. He has been struggling with some injuries this season.
Depends on how much cash they are sending. If they are zeroing out Duffy’s contract or close to it they will probably get to choose from the middle shelf of the candy store. Otherwise it’s money for nothing.
Oh, now you like Amaya instead of Miller.
Got it!
What didn’t you like about Miller when you saw him pitch?
What did you like about Amaya when you saw him pitch?
Amaya is a SS. Do you know anything about the league?
No they are not!
Probably most of what’s left of his contract
I know it’s to get a better player back but the royals sending cash to the dodgers is rich
Guy with a 2.51 ERA and cover his salary… for a PTBNL. This is an extreme buyers market
Have you seen his era over the past few years over four
Solid arm. Won’t preclude any other moves.
Probably as good a time as any to point out that the PTBNL will 100% not be a 2021 draftee. You aren’t allowed to do that anymore.
This is great an injured pitcher who may be available by the end of August. Way to go Friedman
What a turd are you kidding me WTF another pice of s#&% for the pin
Can we also send Mgr Dave Robert’s to KC in the deal!
That would be my wish too.
Only if it includes a President of Baseball Operations to be named later.
Duffy gonna need TJS why the hell would the Dodgers trade for him
Because the Dodgers never intended to win this year. Besides the bum elbow Duffy has personal issues.
Wrong
Friedman’s biggest disappointment? Hiring Dave Roberts, extending Kenley Jansen & signing Trevor Bauer. His luck ran out when they won the 2020 fake World Series.
Yes, he’s a crummy FO exec.
Terrible record.
Haters gonna hate.
That’s World Series winner Dave Roberts. Get a clue.
Yeah Dave Roberts, the largest win % of any manager in their first 5 seasons ever
In other news, the Dodgers are set to acquire 3 other players in the next week.
1) a reigning WS MVP,
2). a player with 1 MVP, 2 other MVP runner=up seasons, 5 time all star and current OPS + of 139
3) a former all star closer
Oh, and a 3 time Cy Young award winner.
Danny Duffy … not too scruffy
What’s Zaidi waiting for?
Would Edwin Rios be the PTBNL?
I highly doubt that.
It’s either a fringe MLB player under control or a lower tier prospect.
Probably a selection of lower tier injured prospects.
no
I was afraid the Dodgers were going after Duffy & they’ve proved me right again.
One week after the trade, the Dodgers will announce he is shelved for the season
DD?
Read the article. Still confused. What possible reason would we have to pick up Danny Duffy? Last year of his contract and he wants to be a Royal for life. Sounds like a quality guy but if he does not comeback until September?
“The Royals are receiving a player to be named later in return”
Potential pitching depth for the playoffs without giving up much.
If this is it I’m surprised they didn’t just keep him and QO him
Peters is going to the Pittsburgh or Baltimore
Duffy immediately goes on the Injury List just like Rich Hill did when Friedman acquired him.
This move does not make the Dodgers better & in fact it removed another Top 30 Dodger Project out of the Organization along with Carrillo, Ruiz & Grey.
Andrew Friedman is showing why he’s an moronic idiot.
Pretty sure you are the fool here. Case in point…you called someone “an moronic idiot.”
Finally, huh? How many trade deadlines has this guy’s name been bandied about? At least a decade’s worth, it seems.
I like this guy better than Sherzer
It’s a good move for the long run, but the Dodgers still needed immediate help for the rotation. If the Scherzer deal gets completed, I think Friedman owned this trade deadline. Acquiring Trea Turner is big as well. One of the biggest strengths for the Dodgers, for a while now has been the ability to utilize depth, so even with Seager likely returning soon, I am confident the Dodgers will make this work very well..
Lol!
Dodgers dealing as always