ESPN says Cubs need to trade for Royals starting pitcher |
The Cubs have made a few bold moves this offseason with the acquisition of elite closer Wade Davis, Caleb Smith, and reported signing of Koji Uehara.
ESPN released their latest baseball article suggesting moves that certain teams should make including the Cubs acquiring lefty Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals. "Then sign him to a multiyear extension," ESPN said. "The Royals have a slew of free agents after 2017, including Duffy, and the risk in making a run in 2017 is falling short and getting nothing in return for all these guys except potentially some compensation picks. Duffy, coming off a big season with a 3.51 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 179.2 innings, would have higher trade value than anyone else. For the Cubs, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey are free agents after 2017, so this brings a younger arm to the rotation and puts less pressure to sign Arrieta to a megadeal." Duffy was 12-3 with 3.51 ERA with 188 strikeouts and 1.14 WHIP in 2016 and was 9th in AL in strikeouts, 7th in AL in WHIP, 4th in win percentage, and 10th in AL in complete games (1). For his career, he is 36-33 with 3.71 ERA with 540 strikeouts with 1.30 WHIP. He was drafted by Kansas City in the third round (#96th overall) of the 2007 MLB draft.
