3 buy-low starters the Chicago Cubs could acquire at the deadline

Chicago Cubs could add a veteran lefty from Kansas City

An intriguing name that could be on the market in July could be Danny Duffy. Duffy is in the last year of his four-year extension and was pitching at an elite level before being placed on the IL for an injury that isn’t supposed to be serious. Duffy has been a Royal for his entire nearly 10-year long career and was a part of the 2015 World Series champion Royals, so he’s pitched in October before.

Duffy has always been a solid mid-rotation starter and has had a few years where he’s been very good, including 2021 thus far. Duffy currently has a 1.94 ERA and has put up a 10.4 SO/9 to just 2.6 BB/9, along with an impressive 0.4 HR/9. Duffy obviously won’t keep up this staggering pace, but he may not regress as much as one would think, as his Savant paints the picture of a well-above-average pitcher.

The issue with potentially adding Duffy is that he’s been injured several times throughout his career, and the fact the Royals may not want to deal him. Despite the fact that the Royals have a lot of top pitching prospects, Duffy is a beloved figure in that franchise, and they may try to keep him if he keeps pitching well.

Still, if the Cubs can get him, he’d be a fantastic addition to the middle of the rotation.