NY Mets: Top 3 starting pitcher trade candidates from MLB Trade Rumors top 40 list

Jun 5, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (47) delivers a first inning pitch against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (47) delivers a first inning pitch against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy (30) pitches the ball during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

NY Mets starting pitcher trade deadline target Danny Duffy

Danny Duffy is at a much different chapter of his MLB career than Means. Now in his 11th season with the Kansas City Royals, Duffy is headed to free agency after this season. On a Royals squad playing better than expected but probably headed toward Sellersville by the end of July, he’s the number 39 player on MLB Trade Rumors’ list of the top 40 trade candidates.

Prior to his recent IL stint, Duffy was 4-3 after 7 starts with a magnificent 1.94 ERA. He’s striking out batters at a career-best rate and not walking many either.

At 32 this year, Duffy is actually younger than I would have guessed. He’s a pure rental option for the Mets and a guy who would provide the Royals with a bit of salary relief. You may recall Duffy signing a lucrative deal with the Royals several years ago. This season, your buddy who knows more about football than baseball but insists he’s an expert at both might say his “cap hit” is $15.5 million. It’s really just his salary, by the way.

Duffy is a capable fourth starter but nothing much more than that. Trading for him in 2021 is about hoping he stays hot. With a .500 career record and an ERA a few hairs below .400, he has been mostly average. This year, if the Mets were to acquire him, I could even see him becoming a left-handed threat out of the bullpen later on if everyone gets healthy.