Dodgers trading for Danny Duffy lays groundwork for new pitching plan

The icebreaker! The Los Angeles Dodgers, despite watching a number of other teams make momentous trades before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, have made their first move, which should create a domino effect.

According to the latest reports, LA is finalizing a deal to acquire Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals.

Not sexy whatsoever — and definitely a notable risk — but this should only be the beginning of the Dodgers’ deadline hauls.

It’s unclear who’s going back to Kansas City in the deal, but it’s been revealed the left-hander will waive his 10-5 rights and approve a trade to the defending world champs.

The Dodgers have traded for Royals starter Danny Duffy.

Don’t let the Dodgers’ plan leave the forefront of your thought process. Yes, the starting rotation is barren. They need more starters. But they’re also going to need relief help, both of the long, middle and high-leverage variety.

Duffy now gives the Dodgers a multi-pronged approach. He’s on the injured list with a flexor strain, so it’s obvious he won’t be returning to hurl seven-inning starts every five days for the next 2-3 months. What he can do, though, is provide a veteran presence in the rotation for the remainder of the regular season and then be used in short spurts come October.

After all, this deal doesn’t take the Dodgers out of the running for anyone else … and if that Max Scherzer trade isn’t finalized with the Padres, you can bet Andrew Friedman will be swooping in shortly.

Duffy was having a resurgent season before going down with a couple of injuries. He’s got a 2.51 ERA, 3.38 FIP and 1.21 WHIP across 13 games (12 starts) and has struck out 65 batters in 61 innings.

Additionally, he has postseason experience as a member of the 2014 and 2015 Royals. Both made it to the Fall Classic and the latter captured a title.

So think of it this way. If the Dodgers need a “start” in the form of a longer bullpen game down the stretch or in the playoffs, we can probably count on a combo of Duffy, David Price and Tony Gonsolin to get us to the seventh inning. Any other multi-inning help? Those guys will no doubt be able to provide in some capacity. Duffy gives manager Dave Roberts another option from innings 1-6. And the Dodgers swiped him right from the Padres and Giants. Lovely.

And don’t you worry. For now, Scherzer, Jose Berrios, Kyle Gibson, Jon Gray, Merrill Kelly, and maybe Kyle Hendricks are still available. The Dodgers are laying the groundwork before reeling in the big one.

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