When Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen looked ahead to the July 31 trade deadline in mid-June, he called for more consistency from his up-and-down club. A month later, he hasn’t gotten it. The Diamondbacks owned a 36-33 record at the time and closed the first half of the season with a 10-12 mark. Although the 46-45 D-backs have hovered around .500 for a large portion of the year, they’re still just 1 1/2 games out of playoff position.
The general mediocrity of Arizona and the rest of the National League wild-card contenders is setting up for what Hazen told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic will be “a complicated decision.” Three weeks before the deadline, Hazen’s preparing to buy, sell or even do some of both.
“I don’t think it has to be as drastic as buy/sell,” Hazen said. “Like in this offseason, there may be some creative things we need to do to help us now and in the future and I think those possibilities exist.”
Rewinding to the offseason, the Diamondbacks traded the face of their franchise – superstar first baseman Paul Goldschmidt – but got back the major league-ready duo of right-hander Luke Weaver and catcher Carson Kelly from the Cardinals. Weaver and Kelly have been instrumental in the Diamondbacks’ success this year, but the hurler hasn’t pitched since late May because of a forearm strain. Thanks to injuries to Weaver, Jon Duplantier and Taijuan Walker, the rotation’s the prime place the Diamondbacks figure to upgrade if they do any buying this month. They’ve had difficulty finding answers in their starting staff behind Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray and Merrill Kelly, though Alex Young has been almost spotless through his first couple appearances.
Speaking of Greinke and Ray, they may be among the Diamondbacks’ trade chips if the club goes the other way. Dealing Greinke would be complicated because of the money left on his contract (he’s owed around $15MM more this year and $32MM per annum over the next two seasons), not to mention a 15-team no-trade clause. And the 35-year-old Greinke happens to remain a fantastic starter, so moving him would also seemingly weaken the D-backs’ near-term outlook. At the same time, however, it would presumably give the mid-payroll team a chance to wipe a lot of his money off its books.
Meanwhile, finding a taker for Ray wouldn’t be complex – he’s making $6.05MM and controllable for another season. Whether giving him up would hurt the D-backs from a competitive standpoint is another matter. The club also has relievers Greg Holland and Andrew Chafin; outfielders David Peralta, Adam Jones, Jarrod Dyson; shortstop Nick Ahmed and catcher Alex Avila among other potential trade pieces who are affordably priced and under control through either this season or next. Peralta is currently on the injured list for the second time this season because of right shoulder problems, but he has nonetheless drawn interest from the Cubs and possibly other clubs.
If the Diamondbacks were to trade any of those players away, the front office’s mission would likely be to acquire “young talent that can help the roster now,” as team CEO Derrick Hall said this week. Ultimately, the path the organization chooses in the coming weeks will be up to Hazen. Whatever Arizona does, it’s not “going to behave irresponsibly,” Hazen told Piecoro. Hazen suggested an NL West crown is likely out of reach because of the Dodgers’ stranglehold on the division, so the Diamondbacks’ best hope is to earn a spot in a one-game playoff. With that in mind, they’re not in go-for-broke mode.
“Mr. Hazen, Matt Klentak is on line one.”
The prospect of Greinke as a Philly is intriguing, but at this point, Phils should save cash to extend Realmuto.
All of Klentak’s trades look pretty bad at the moment.
Many saw Goldschmidt deal signifying a rebuild but Lovullo’s team has been exceptional in given the young talent. Multiple Rookies contributing in prominent roles,
12th in ERA (Starters 9th & Bullpen 16th).. Greinke’s 2.73 ERA (3..15 FIP & 3.61 xFIP) in 122 IP has been exceptional.. Anticipate improved outcome from Robbie Ray in 2nd Half if he can limit the walks. A major determining factor on strategy must be the health of young arms Luke Weaver & Jon Duplantier plus potential return of Taijuan Walker. And if they chase the Wild Card, does ownership approve any payroll increases to fortify the bullpen?
Hazen deserves a ton of credit. for winning the Goldschmidt trade. Carson Kelly & Luke Weaver are under Club Control through 2023 & 2024, respectively. In half a season both have proven deserving of early extensions. Plus, Christian Walker is a top 10 ROTY who should win the Gold Glove at 1st.
Factor in early offseason Eduardo Escobar resigning plus the borderline brilliant Merrill Kelly FA signing… Hazen is an Executive of the Yr candidate when you factor in the simultaneous resurrection of the minor league system via the Draft.
Need Archie Bradley to find himself in the pen and Peralta to return.. Ketel Marte is a top 8 MVP candidate that needs to continue carrying the team. But there’s no argument for immediate sell off unless Hazen can get back hauls or Ownership wants to decrease payroll and look towards 2020. In that case, sell of on upcoming FAs (Jarrod Dyson, Adam Jones, Avila) plus consider guys entering final Arbitration Yr (Peralta, Robbie Ray, Jake Lamb, Andrew Chafin, Souza). Can’t move Nick Ahmed at any cost or Defense could collapse.
I’d be calling on Zack Godley if I need starting depth (A’s & Angels). Or looking for a rebound reliever Archie Bradley is intriguing.
So many directions Hazen can go. Perfectly positioned given the amount of intriguing talent on the roster to be patient.
While the Snakes could end winning the Goldie trade, this is just half way through round one and there’s still time for PM to lead the Red Birds to a title. Not saying it will happen, just that it’s premature to declare a trade winner. Now the Sox-Brewer trade a few years back can be ruled on as a Brewer knockout victory with TT being released regardless if Shaw does anything further.
*PM should have been PG.
imo the goldy trade was a win win for both teams cards got a bat they needed and upgraded there d overall and the dbacks got there catcher of the future and a good mid rotation arm. both weaver and kelly had no real spot on the cards at the time so why let them waste a way in the minors or on the bench
Lol Christian walker being top 10 in ROY means very little when the top 3 in the race are far and away better players
“Calling for Godley” are you kidding me right now?!
1.5 out of the WC means no Greinke to Atlanta.
Looks like MadBum will be the priority in Atlanta.
I don’t know I think it depends on what the offer is. Regardless of how close to the wild card the snakes are if a team is willing to pay Greinke’s entire remaining salary, as well as give up a blue chip prospect and maybe another lower level prospect or player Hazen would have to consider it. In my opinion Greinke can be had but the closer to contention the dbacks are the higher the price tag.
Frazier and ellsbury for Greinke and snakes pay everyones salary…
Yankee Homer
Could see Ray to a team looking for starters that has some younger ones that aren’t really contributing, say like to the Yankees for Adams and Loiasaga.
Question is is Ray pitching well enough to get a decent haul? And also regarding the Yankees, will they want to give up stuff for a non-elite starter when they already have enough “guys” to trot out there?
I’d say he’s pitching well enough to give a team the impression that one small tweak could turn him into a front line pitcher. He was excellent in 2017, and hasn’t been consistent since then, but he has enough potential for someone to bite and overpay.
The Yankees have been scouting Ray for years now, so I’d be curious to see how they value him internally. I don’t think Frazier would be too much of an ask here, given Ray’s affordability and control. And then yes, added onto that I could totally see an Adams/Loaisiga/King type going as well. Gives the Diamondbacks the flexibility to move Peralta (more valuable) or Dyson (less so) and shed more $$, possibly netting them some near ML-ready bullpen depth in the process.
Regardless, the buy *and* sell is a risky gambit for a mid market team, but I have a lot of respect for any of the teams willing to roll the dice on a second WC spot. It’s an especially good move if you have a guy like Greinke to go in the 1 game playoff, assuming they have the luxury to line it up that way.
The prospect of Greinke as a Philly is intriguing, but at this point, Phils should save cash to extend Realmuto.
All of Klentak’s trades look pretty bad at the moment.
Pretty sure Phillies are on his no trade list.
They are, but that’s not really the death knell for this deal. It could still get done if the Phillies are willing to overpay. The thing is, I don’t think they should. They need to extend Realmuto.
I firmly believe the Diamondbacks saw the unfortunate writing on the wall and declining indications in relation to Goldschmidt. They pulled the trigger and got 3 excellent players given to them by the Cardinals. Ironically, Matt Carpenter had the same type of declining indications (except of for one month), and did not capitalize by trading him but signed him for 2 more years. Now the Cardinals have $38 million a year tied up in 2 players who can’t hit anymore!!! Both are still playing only because they are past All-Stars.