Matt Duffy has cleared waivers and is now a free agent. Duffy could provide the Cleveland Indians with some much needed infield depth.
After being designated for assignment, Matt Duffy has now cleared waivers and is a free agent.
The Tampa Bay Rays decided to go in a different direction and rely on the likes of Yandy Diaz and Michael Brosseau to handle third base. This left Duffy on the outside looking in.
Matt Duffy isn’t the only infielder the Indians should look into acquiring. (Yolmer Sanchez is another option for the Tribe). Unlike Sanchez, Duffy can provide a bit more at the plate. Duffy’s slash line over his time in the Majors is .282/.338/.380 with an OPS of .718. There is not a lot of power, but he at least hits for a decent average.
The only question with Duffy is health. Matt Duffy has only appeared in more than 100 games twice (2015, 2018). During the 2017 season Duffy not appear in any games at the MLB level. Duffy also spent time on the injured list in 2018 with a hamstring injury.
This is a case of “buying low”. Matt Duffy can be a utility type infielder if put in the right situation. Duffy has played the overwhelming majority of his games at third base, making appearances at shortstop and second base with one brief stint at first.
Offering Duffy a one-year deal would be just that type of contract that is right up the Indians alley. It would provide Duffy a chance to rebuild his value and give the Indians a backup infielder.
