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The San Diego Padres are looking for pitching upgrades at the 2021 MLB trade deadline and Danny Duffy might just be the guy they need.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweeted out Monday morning that the Kansas City lefty is one trade option that the Friars could pursue before the July 30 deadline. The 11-year vet has had a productive career, with a lifetime ERA of 3.94. In 2021, he found a bit of youth again, with his ERA sinking to a career-best of 1.81.
However, the brass in San Diego will be watching Duffy’s start Monday against the Boston Red Sox closely. Though he’s been great so far this campaign, Duffy is recently returning from a left forearm flexor strain that kept him off the hill for more than a month.
He’s also a pending free agent, so the Padres won’t get attached to any long term contract if they decide they want to move on once 2021 is over. He could be an upgrade to an already solid pitching staff. San Diego currently has the second-best ERA in the majors at 3.19.
If they’re able to add Duffy into the fold, it could go down significantly and be an even more lethal complement to their offense as they hope to make a deep run in October.