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Well, the Dodgers went out and acquired a starting pitcher. However, not the one you were expecting. The Dodgers on Thursday acquired left-handed starter Danny Duffy and cash considerations from the Royals for a player to be named later.
The news was first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN:
The Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a deal to acquire left-hander Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021
At the moment, Duffy is on the injured list with a flexor strain. He previously missed a month this season with left forearm flexor strain. Duffy has 10-5 rights, as he’s spent his entire career with the Royals, but he’s expected to waive them.
The acquisition won’t cost too much at all, as the Dodgers won’t have to send away a top prospect for the rental of Duffy. The Dodgers will also acquire cash from the Royals in the deal.
Royals GM Dayton Moore explained the PTBNL situation as this: They have a group of players they will scout for the next two months. It does not sound as if Danny Duffy's availability for LA will matter at all in terms of the PTBNL return. That's why they included cash.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 30, 2021
Duffy went to Cabrillo High School in California, so he now gets to be closer to home.
A free-agent at the end of the season, Duffy is currently having one of the best seasons of his career. He’s 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA and 3.38 FIP. His SO/9 average of 9.6 is the highest of his 11-year career.
Duffy adds depth to the Dodgers’ starting rotation and likely will slide into the bullpen in October. It’s tough to see this being the only Dodgers’ move of the deadline.
With Duffy taking up a roster spot, outfielder DJ Peters was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Peters appeared in 18 games for the Dodgers this season, batting .192 with one homer and four RBI. In five minor league seasons with the Dodgers organization, he hit .266 with 96 homers and 290 RBI. He had been with the organization since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 First Year Player Draft out of Western Nevada College.
Outfielder DJ Peters was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Duffy.