Veteran reliever Tyler Duffey has triggered an opt-out in his minor league contract with the Cubs, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. He’s the second Cubs reliever in Triple-A to exercise a June 1 opt-out date, as Vinny Nittoli did the same this morning as well. As is the case with Nittoli, the Cubs will have 48 hours to select Duffey’s contract or release him, so he’s not technically a free agent just yet but could very likely return to the market in a couple days.
The 32-year-old Duffey has 475 innings of big league experience, all coming with the Twins, who selected him out of Rice University in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. Duffey impressed as a starter in his 2015 big league debut but struggled in that role for the next few seasons before ultimately shifting to the bullpen, where he spent a couple years as a strong setup option in Minnesota. From 2019-20, the righty pitched to a brilliant 2.31 ERA with a 34.2% strikeout rate and 6.1% walk rate, piling up 27 holds along the way.
Duffey posted quality bottom-line results in 2021 as well, recording a 3.18 ERA and a career-best 22 holds in 62 1/3 innings. However, his strikeout and walk rates dipped to 24% and 11%, respectively, and his fastball sat at 92.6 mph — a drop from its 94 mph peak. The wheels came off in 2022, when Duffey was rocked for a 4.91 ERA in 44 frames, with a particularly tough 1.64 HR/9 mark. The Twins designated him for assignment and released him.
Duffey inked subsequent minor league deals with both the Rangers and Yankees, but neither called him up from Triple-A before season’s end, at which point he became a minor league free agent and eventually signed with Chicago. Thus far in 2023, Duffey has pitched 22 1/3 innings with the Cubs’ top affiliate in Iowa. In that time, he’s recorded a 4.43 ERA with an above-average 26.1% strikeout rate but a bloated 15.2% walk rate.
Outside of excellent performances from Adbert Alzolay and Mark Leiter Jr., the Cubs’ bullpen has struggled considerably in 2023. Cubs relievers have baseball’s fourth-worst ERA at 4.60, and their primary offseason additions — Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer — have both fallen well short of expectations. Duffey would represent a veteran alternative or complement to the current group, but the Cubs may not want to open a 40-man roster spot to take a look. If that indeed proves the case, Duffey will hit the market and look to latch on with another club seeking bullpen depth.
Also glad to see ya go. You’re just blocking guys who might actually help someday. I know if you look at his record it looks impressive. But he got rocked early and was the beneficiary of some fantastic run support. Ba Bye
Lol, no one here is looking at reliever wins.
You must not know Uncle Mike.
Now you know why the Cubs moved a number of other minor league prospects from starter to the reliever side of the pitching staff in recent weeks.
As bad as that bullpen has been, their regular lineup, outside of Hoerner and Susuki has for the most part, stunk at the plate.
Please dodgers get this guy and dfa bickford.
The Cubs don’t need to replace Steele until Tuesday against the Angels. Brown hasn’t pitched this week so I hope the bring him up to either start or fill Wesneski’s role. But if they choose Wesneski he won’t be able to pitch against the Padres. Interesting choices to be made.
Doesn’t really matter. Ross will burn any reliever out. I know Steele only went 3 yesterday but Ross still managed to use 6 pitchers in a 4 run game and it isn’t even hot out yet. Smh….