The Diamondbacks are hanging on the outskirts of the playoff race. They enter the All-Star Break three games below .500 and 5.5 back in a strong National League playoff field. They'd surely prefer to buy in a season where they're running a franchise-record payroll and facing a number of potential free agent departures. With playoff odds hovering around 10% and an injury-depleted pitching staff, they'll need to come out of the Break strong to give the front office justification to add.
Record: 47-50 (10.2% playoff probability, per FanGraphs)
Other series entries: Rockies, Giants, Phillies, Pirates, Astros, Marlins, Athletics, Orioles, White Sox, Nationals, Cubs, Rays, Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, Angels, Mets, Blue Jays, Mariners, Padres, Cardinals, Brewers, Reds
Sell Mode
While the Diamondbacks could still go either way, they'd have a chance to really shape the deadline if they sell. They have the best collection of rental talent of any fringe contender.
Impending Free Agents: Eugenio Suárez, Zac Gallen, Josh Naylor, Merrill Kelly, Randal Grichuk, Jalen Beeks, Shelby Miller, Kendall Graveman, James McCann, Jordan Montgomery (out for the season)
Arizona's top four rentals would all be significant trade chips. Eugenio Suárez has emerged as arguably the best impending free agent hitter who could change hands. He's already up to 31 home runs with a .250/.320/.569 batting line. It's a continuation of last year's monster second half. Suárez has 52 home runs over the past calendar year -- tying him with Cal Raleigh for third in MLB behind Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. He's a .277/.331/.586 hitter in his past 673 plate appearances.
Suárez is playing on a $15MM salary. That could be a bit of an obstacle for teams navigating luxury tax concerns but represents a significant bargain relative to his current production. The D-Backs could (and probably would) make him a qualifying offer if they hang onto him all year, but they'd be able to pull a stronger return in a trade. It seems unlikely that they'd re-sign him to a lucrative multi-year deal and block Jordan Lawlar's path to playing time. The Yankees, Cubs and Mariners should all have Suárez near the top of their wish lists. The Mets, Tigers or Reds could also make a push, and he'd make some sense for the Brewers if they can make the money work. Suarez was plunked on the hand in last night's All-Star Game but remained in to run and play defense. Postgame x-rays were negative.
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IF they sell, I wonder what Suarez would cost? Think about it AJ Preller.
Suarez and Kelly are their 2 most valuable rentals they could trade. Suarez is making 15 million. The Padres might want then DBacks to pay that if so hes probably worth 15 million or so in surplus value. Thats probably something like the Padres top 2 draft picks from 2024 Mayfield and Bateman.
A lot for a rental and I hope they don’t deal both of those guys, but RH bat with slug is exactly what they need. Would also allow Machado to DH now and then.
I forgot the Padres have Machado. They need an outfielder not a 3b. Not a lot of outfielders out there but thats what they really need.
They have Sheets in LF, Merrill in CF, Tatis in RF. They need a DH just as much as anything, doesnt have to be an OF
Sheets is a DH. And even if you have 3 outfielders you really need 4, especially if you need DH help too. The need is for an outfielder. Suarez’ value is tied to his ability to play 3b.
They have more than 4 now, but only 2 are all stars
Sheets is playing a decent LF, has started there 19 of past 25 games
Yeah he starts there because they dont have other options. He’s a poor defensive player.
I wouldn’t say poor, he’s been serviceable. But yeah if they can find a cheap RH bat with slug who can also play a great LF then by all means that would be perfect. But the options out there are scant to none.
Haha no chance he fetch’s that much
Don’t know so much the Padres, but the Mariners, Tigers, Yankees, Cubs, and Milwaukee are at least the ones that have inquired about Suarez according to the local sports radio station.in AZ. The price could be whoever the highest bidder and the players the D’Backs want in return. Example a day or so ago was the Yankees were said to be offering 3 top ten prospects for Suarez and maybe more if Gallen was included in the deal
Some of it depends on if the DBacks pay the salaries or not. If they pay the remaining money owed on guys like Suarez, Gallen and Naylor those guys have more value.
I could see 3 top 10 prospects for Suarez if they are in the bottom half of the top 10.
I don’t think the Padres have the ammunition to match any deal that the Yankees, Cubs, Mariners or Brewers could put together for Suarez.
The Padres have some good young talent but its far away from the big leagues. Thats going to appeal to some teams more than others. The Cubs certainly have talent to trade. Yankees dont have a bunch. I dont think the Brewers will trade their top prospects.
Yankees said everyone is on the table except for Lombard. That includes Spencer Jones, Schlittler, and Dominguez. The Yanks can go big time if they want to, I believe.
Nobody is going to give up 3 of their top 10 prospects for Suarez as a rental. He definitely has value just not that much by any means.
$5 million to add E Suarez to the Padres payroll.
yeah, that part I know. Was wondering the cost in prospects.
Depends on center piece likely one top 100 (if closer to 50 or higher in org) and then maybe sweetener depending on that center piece. Starting pitching carries the highest premium, if they’re out they’re be smart to trade Kelly and Galen.
Cubs also should be exploring with Pirates and Snakes. There is room in post-season for both Cubs and Brewers.
Sucks for DBacks fans but I think they really should try and hard sell. Yeah they’re technically “on the bubble” at 5.5 games out of the last WC spot, but they’d need to leap over four teams (Reds, Cardinals, Giants, Padres) to touch a playoff spot, which makes the deficit feel a lot larger.
Being a D’Back fan this is going to be a real long shot for this team to jump over 4 or 5 teams to make the WC. I’m thinking with TJ’s surgery to Burnes, Martinez, and three other pitchers this team has a chance rebuild the farm in 2026, getting some decent prospects at this trade deadline, then get ready for 2027. Then who knows if the D’Backs do sell off Suarez, Kelly, Gallen, Naylor and Gricich who say they don’t resign a couple of them this off season.
I can’t stop thinking about how perfect for both clubs it would be if the M’s and DBacks swapped prospects for Geno AND Naylor.
Setting myself up for disappointment as per usual
Second time’s the charm for Suarez and the Mariners?
Lock him up, throw away the key. Keep the good vibes
Big Dumper could use the help with offense and Suarez is definitely a bat with thunder!
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the Mariners don’t need Suarez. I think Naylor is the guy. At any rate, we could take either one and plug him in at DH. I don’t want to mess up our 3B defense, Williamson is just too good…he’s like Matt Chapman down there on the hot corner. Suarez would be a huge downshift on the defensive side. I say Naylor and a shutdown bullpen guy, I don’t know who though….and every team in contention is looking for those bullpen pieces.
Red Sox could use Naylor but a starter is a higher priority.
Or they could go after Suarez and ask him to play first ba…….
Ah , nevermind.
89 wins + tiebreaker is what it took in 2024 to secure a NL wildcard. Snakes have to win at a .646 clip over the remaining 65 games to hit 89 wins. Not realistic even if they were the overwhelming winners as buyers at this trade deadline. All pending UFAs should be moved. If you want Kelly, Gallen, Naylor etc. back in 2026, pursue them and be the highest bidder in a handful of months.
Reunions in Cincy…
Reds send CES young power bat; Chase Petty (a top 100 prospect) and Steele Hall (the #9 overall pick in the draft this year) for two rentals – Naylor & Geno Suarez…
Naylor reunites with Tito…
Geno Reunites with Reds
Be a great haul
2025 draftees can’t be traded until this Winter. And PTBNL have to be established by World Series I think? Maybe end of regular season. It’s the Trea Turner rule I believe.
Biggie, whatever you are smoking you shouldn’t.