Less than one week remains for the Los Angeles Dodgers to address their pitching needs before the MLB trade deadline on July 30.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently acknowledged the Dodgers’ focus at the deadline this year is on pitching, with their search not limited to the starting rotation. With that, L.A. has been linked to Texas Rangers closer Ian Kennedy.
Meanwhile, it was believed the Dodgers’ interest in Kansas City Royals starter Danny Duffy had dissipated in the wake of the southpaw suffering a flexor strain for a second time this season.
However, the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are both said to have interest in Duffy, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
The Dodgers have joined the Giants as a contender with interest in Royals LHP Danny Duffy (currently on the IL with a left flexor strain), per source. Duffy has often spoken about wanting to stay in KC, but the CA native could waive his 10-5 no-trade rights for a West Coast team.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 25, 2021
Duffy is a Lompoc, California native and presumably would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to join the Dodgers or Giants. Particularly with both teams boasting two of the best records in baseball and being in the thick of a National League West race.
Duffy previously spent six weeks sidelined by the same left flexor strain. He returned June 23 and pitched to a 3.72 ERA in six games (five starts), though didn’t go more than five innings in any of those appearances.
Overall this season Duffy is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA, 4.17 FIP and 1.32 WHIP in 13 games (12 starts). He is in the final season of a five-year, $65 million contract signed with the Royals before the 2017 campaign.
Potential Dodgers trade targets
In addition to Duffy, there are several other hurlers believed to be on the market at the trade deadline this season, ranging from Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer to more innings-eater types.
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