With 11 wins in their last 16 games, the Diamondbacks now have a 50-48 record and sit just percentage points behind the Mets for the final NL wild card berth. Plenty of teams remain in the mix in the crowded National League, yet this hot stretch of play indicates that the reigning NL champions are finding their form despite weathering multiple injuries within their starting rotation.
Arizona GM Mike Hazen said on July 1 that he was hoping his club would be in a position to add rather than subtract at the trade deadline, and the Diamondbacks’ strong play in the last three weeks has paid off their general manager’s belief. With the D’Backs now more firmly looking like contenders, Hazen told reporters (including MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic) yesterday that “as of now, the calls we’re making, we’re looking to add talent to the team.”
Where exactly the D’Backs might focus their shopping has yet to be determined, as Hazen said he would “love to be able to target down the needs to bullpen, position-player fit somewhere, and just go with that.” A more limited list of needs would hinge, of course, on how healthy the rotation is looking by the July 30 deadline, as Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Merrill Kelly all remain on the injured list.
Montgomery is the closest to returning, as he threw 56 pitches over three innings of a simulated game on Thursday. This lines the southpaw up to be activated from the 15-day injured list during Arizona’s series in Kansas City that begins on Monday, though manager Torey Lovullo didn’t officially state this was the team’s plan. Montgomery hasn’t pitched since June 27 due to right knee inflammation, and is looking to return from this IL stint and turn around a rough season, as the lefty has a 6.44 ERA in his first 65 2/3 innings and 13 starts in a D’Backs uniform.
Rodriguez and Kelly are both tentatively set to return at some point in August, and both hurlers are set for bullpen sessions today. Hazen said “everything has been good” with the duo as of late, and they could advance to facing hitters after both Saturday’s bullpen and then another throwing session next week.
Assuming Montgomery is indeed back for the Royals series, he’d rejoin a D’Backs rotation that also features ace Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and rookie Yilber Diaz. Nelson has pitched increasingly well as the season has gone on and Diaz has looked sharp in his first two career MLB starts, and thus Arizona might go from a lack of rotation depth to perhaps a surplus later in the season if everyone comes back healthy and effective. These are the decisions Hazen must weigh as the deadline approaches, since on paper, trading for another starter seems like a logical hedge against the uncertainty that the Diamondbacks still face with their starter mix.
“Long-term starting pitching is still going to be something I’m going to explore no matter what if it’s multiple years of control because I feel like we have to,” Hazen said. “We always have to look out for our rotation a couple of years down the line. I think if I feel very confident when Monty comes back and then [Kelly and Rodriguez] are right around the corner, I probably would not place as much emphasis on it. But I don’t know. It obviously depends on if Nelly and Yilber keep throwing the ball really well, that’s going to impact how this goes.”
Hazen also announced that the D’Backs would be moving Slade Cecconi into a bullpen role for the rest of the season, which is probably less a sign of Arizona’s confidence in its forthcoming rotation depth than it is a reflection of Cecconi’s unimpressive results as a starter. Cecconi has started 13 of his 14 Major League games this season, posting a 6.14 ERA over 66 innings.
It isn’t necessarily surprising that a rookie is having a tough time in his first extended look against big league hitters, and if nothing else, Cecconi has eaten some innings for a D’Backs team that was often scrambling to fill rotation holes. His new role will also be about covering innings in some sense, as Hazen said that if Cecconi is recalled from Triple-A, the right-hander will work in a long man role to help give the bullpen some respite.
Blackpink in the area
Had to figure the Diamondbacks wouldn’t sell unless it was hopeless and with the way they have played lately it’s certainly not. I really dont see what they can add. They really just need to get healthy and have guys perform better. If that happens they are a legit contender.
DarkGhost
If they can upgrade 3B they should Suarez is playing better but not good enough for them to not look at upgrades and as good as the end of the bullpen could use a upgrade to Mantiply as their lefty specialist.
Very Barry
We have an absolute “candy store” of available talent with the White Sox. Erick Fedde and John Brebbia are the perfect additions. Fedde solidifies the rotation, and Brebbia shores up the pen. We can have these guys on a plane tonight.
Arizona receives: Erick Fedde, John Brebbia
White Sox receive: Yu-Min Lin, Cristofer Torin
Blackpink in the area
If the Diamondbacks added Fedde who are they bumping from the 2024 rotation? 2025 rotation?
pileofsandwich
You worry about next season, next season. If he helps win THIS YEAR, you do it.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
What happens if most teams buy and there are few selling teams? The selling teams get to start a bidding war for their talent and the highest bidder gets the player
If the blue jays don’t sell a ton there won’t be many clear sellers
If I were one of the middling NL wild card teams hovering around .500 I would look into seeing how much you can capitalize on the huge buyers market
Blackpink in the area
It depends on who it is. The Diamondbacks made it to the WS last year they don’t want to sell and ruin the positive momentum. The Cubs are simply not set up to sell. The Cardinals never want to sell unless they have to. The Giants again not set up to sell. The Pirates seem to want to end their losing ways and get back to being a contender. The Padres are knee deep in it they can’t sell. The Mets were looking like clear sellers but they have been playing great lately and the owner can pay to contend in 2024. The only team I see on the fence is the Reds.
User 3222006999
The Cubs better be sellers. Smyly, Hendricks, Wisdom, Mastrobuoni, Morel, Bellinger, Tauchman, Madrigal anybody that they can get something decent for. Clear as much Tax money as they can and this off season try signing or trading for reasonable contracts. Just because the Tax number is 241 million next year doesn’t mean you HAVE to spend it all. How about saving some in case you’re really buyers next year for a change? Let’s try that and see if it works huh?
rememberthecoop
Most of the guys you named have either zero or limited appeal. On Morel you’d be selling low. Teams would dream on his immense power, but his overall numbers combined with his defensive shortcomings wouldn’t net too much of a return. Even Belli – teams would not want to take a chance on having to pay him 30M. Based on 2023, sure, but not based on 24 numbers. Even his defense in CF metrics don’t like him at all this year. Not much there. Have to sell a guy like Steele if you want something of value, but I sure as heck wouldn’t do that. #FireHoyer
yeasties
you will possibly see what we saw like 2? years ago: playoff teams make trades with each other rather than pay exorbitant prices for players from the pure sellers
User 3222006999
I don’t really care if the Cubs get anything back. It’s not like we NEED more prospects we don’t play. We’ve got tons of those already and are about to add 20 more. I just want them out of the picture and the sooner the better.
yeasties
Cubs are in a tough spot. I’m not sure they should save money because it seems like they are very profitable but given a budget for each year, and any unspent money does not return for the next year.
its_happening
Step back to take two forward. Cubs give a young guy or two a chance to show they belong, they assess needs in the offseason and have a better 2025.
Pitt and Cincy might be better in 2025 which makes things more competitive for the Cubs.
rememberthecoop
That doesn’t make any sense Mike.
User 3222006999
So you like watching failure then? Sorry but I’ve seen plenty of that in Chicago baseball in my life. None of the guys I mentioned should be part of 2025.
radhippo
Angels send over Tyler Anderson immediately! Come on Peary!!
HalosHeavenJJ
I’d love to offer Tyler Anderson and $8-10 million in cash to get a good return.
but Arte is shortsighted and will take a raid just to unload the salary.
desertdawg
Think Arte would throw in say Brandon Drury in the deal with Anderson and the cash to try and sweeten the deal. You might get Hazen’s attention, but I don’t see Hazen taking Anderson buy himself for decent prospects.
HalosHeavenJJ
Sold. Anderson, Drury, and cash for good prospects.
scottaz
Hazen is aiming much higher than a 34 yr old with a 4.20 lifetime ERA, who has given up 10 runs in 2 of his last 3 starts.
HalosHeavenJJ
Even year Anderson is great and we’re in an even year.
The cash will cover odd year Anderson when he’s bad again.
Spencer O'Gara
Arizona already passed on Drury. Several times. He’s not likely an attractive add to that deal… someone like Ben Joyce might actually get the good prospects offered though.
Rexhudler86
@spencer trading Joyce won’t happen since he’s one of the few ones that’s not a free agent. Plus he might be closer next year since everything is a mystery with the pen.
Spencer O'Gara
Agreed. Anaheim doesn’t have any players Arizona would truly want available.
bigalcathey
So they’re basically tied for the last wildcard spot and they plan on being buyers at the deadline. Shocker!!! Lol. Must be a slow day for headlines
Blackpink in the area
They have only been playing better as of late. And good gosh dude the site is called trade rumors and the deadline is less than 2 weeks away. Figure it out.
bigalcathey
Figure what out? The headline makes it sound like we should be surprised they’re gonna be buyers, when they’re just stating the obvious.
DerekBellsMoistMoustache
The headline is going off what the GM said and is not attempting to make a comment either way. Please, learn to read.
scottaz
Hazen did all the heavy lifting in this past off-season, adding Rodriguez, Montgomery, Suarez, Gurriel, Pederson and Grichuk. When all are healthy and their normal, productive selves, then this team has no holes. I expect Hazen to remain confident in this team and just tinker around the edges.
I also think there is sufficient depth this year to withstand unexpected injuries. However, the old adage is that you can never have too much pitching. So I expect Hazen to inquire about pitching. I don’t think he’ll drain the minors for any rental pitchers, but controllable starting pitching isn’t cheap. If the right, controllable starter is available I expect Hazen to dip deep into his prospects to get him. And the Dbacks do have a lot of attractive prospects at the upper levels of the minors, particularly middle infielders.
desertdawg
I believe that Hazen priorities are a LH reliever, versatile bat off the bench like maybe some like Brandon Drury, good bat utility player. What I did not read in the article was his inclination to raise the payroll a lot. Don’t see them getting LH RP Tanner Scott, they may settle for a lesser known LHRP. Could look at Hazen inquiring about a pitcher with controllable years, they do have plenty of prospects, Hazen has even said he has no problem trading away prospects in the right deal. Stay tune this is the best time of the season two weeks before the deadline.
scottaz
desertdawg. I agree with your first point, that the Dbacks are targeting a LH pitcher. I think someone like A.J. Puk on the reliever side, or Garrett Crochet also as a reliever (since he’s already pitched more innings this year as a starter than his arm can handle), this year and a starter next year(s).
In nurse follars
With the enormous cost of pitching it would not be a surprise if there are buyers who sell or trade an arm or two to another contender for something else it needs. Maybe move a relief arm for a field player bat. No contender has a surpluses of starting pitchers.
nailz#4life
ARZ will be the mystery team and send Lawler plus others to CWS for Crochet …. You heard it here first
scottaz
nailz Only the CWS are idiotic enough to believe they can get that high a prospect for Crochet. There is a huge gulf between their ask and the reality of their actual return.
Two teams have already put in offers that are representative of what the CWS can actually get for Crochet.
Blackpink in the area
Troy and Jones for Robert and Kopech. That seems fair.
Spencer O'Gara
This would be a steal for AZ I think. I doubt Chicago bites though. Robert should net more on his own…
Also this would leave AZ with a surplus of OF, so I could see it being a 3 team deal where Thomas/McCarthy gets sent elsewhere to boost the Chicago return
Blackpink in the area
Toss in Alek Thomas. That seems reasonable.
sufferforsnakes
More like that seems insane. No way Arizona does that deal.
Blackpink in the area
Arizona doesn’t need Troy, Jones or Thomas. Getting Robert would be a game changer.
sufferforsnakes
Sure, until he injures himself again, which is guaranteed to happen, over and over again.
Blackpink in the area
Guaranteed? Aren’t you the life of the party……
Spencer O'Gara
@Black Arizona isn’t looking at only 24/25 (I hope). They will need those names to extend the window, which has been the public goal throughout Hazen’s administration. Robert would be an intriguing pickup, but if they choose to give up that level of talent, it’s a message that the back half of Carroll’s extension is another rebuild.
Blackpink in the area
Troy has no place to play. Jones has no palce to play. The Diamondbacks don’t have a team full of soon to be free agents a lot of their team is under control for a long time. Giving yo young talent isn’t a signal that they aren’t going to compete in a couple years. It’s a signal they have a good farm system and want to win now.
highheat
How do Troy and Jones have no place to play?
Troy is in High-A, so the earliest he’s likely to be up is toward the tail end of the ’25 season and Suarez has a Club option for next season (and Newman is a FA after this season); you could argue the there would only be 2 open IF spots and Lawlar and Alexander are in the mix, but Alexander is still a bit on the fringier end as far as prospects go.
Jones is in Low-A, so he’s likely 2-3 years out, or the ’26 or ’27 season at the earliest; wouldn’t you know it, McCarthy and Thomas are both FAs after the ’28 season, Grichuk and Pederson both only have club options for next season, and Gurriel Jr. has the opportunity to opt out after the ’25 season. Maybe you could argue about Barrosa taking up a spot, but he’s unlikely to if Jones is producing
That’s a big if, but there isn’t really a rush to offload depth.
Blackpink in the area
The Diamondbacks drafted 2 outfielders with their top 2 picks both ranked in the top 30 draft prospects, ine a college guy one a high schooler.
Lawler, Marte and Perdomo are all locked up for a long time.
I don’t get it. Are you a Diamondbacks fan? Good lord your team is trying to win and you are talking about 2027. And you aren’t even being truthful or accurate.
scottaz
Blackpink
It’s very obvious that You are not a Dbacks fan. If you were, you would know Hazen’s Master Plan for the Dbacks, which is what highheat was alluding to in his comment. The Dbacks are winning now And will win in the future with a strong minor league system. Hazen won’t bankrupt the system to win this year and he doesn’t need to.
You are obviously a fan of a big market team that operates very differently from this Dbacks FO. So educate yourself before you make ridiculous comments like the one you just made.
Blackpink in the area
You can trade those 3 guys and still win in the future. Nothing says you can’t. And the Diamondbacks sure spent like a big market team last offseason.
scottaz
Blackpink
Yes the Dbacks payroll is at its highest point ever….but it is still $20.5M below the first Tax Threshold level, and the Dbacks still drafted this year in the Competitive Balance Round because they are in the bottom 10 in the league in revenue.
But look at their roster and each salary and you will see that major contributors come from both free agent/high contract players and minimum wage guys from their Farm System. That formula allows them to field a team with no holes and be competitive all the way up to the WS. So Hazen’s Master Plan is working!
Blackpink in the area
Nobody said it wasn’t working. I am a Cardinals fan very similar market size and payroll. Nothing wrong with making trades to make your team better at the deadline. Heck I am hoping the Cardinals get Robert.
Spencer O'Gara
Blackpink
You are more than welcome to Robert. I don’t want him on AZ. But your evaluation of the team is very far off. Troy and Jones are both the future of AZ right now. There is no 3B in the system for AZ and it’s likely to end up being Troy with Lawlar at SS, Perdomo taking over 2B from Marte who becomes a DH while DDLS and Groover fight for 1B until Waldschmidt is maybe ready for MLB. Jones meanwhile is the best chance the team has of an actual impact prospect down the line.
Hazen won’t run his team like St Louis because it’s not sustainable in a division with great teams. I’m jealous you play in the Central, but Milwaukee and Skenes isn’t the same as LAD, SF and SD… Skubal is about the only player I’d realistically want Troy and Jones on the table for.
Blackpink in the area
Tommy Troy is not a 3b. Why I need to tell you that I don’t know but he’s not.
Jones plays the same position as Robert and Robert is under team control through 2027. So that’s not a problem either.
St Louis has had a ton of success nothinng is ruined. They have a better record than Arizona does right now. What a stupid comment
Spencer O'Gara
Tommy Troy has played SS so far. He is not a SS at the MLB level. He is one of the few players AZ has capable of playing 3B however…
Jones is the future of AZ (not to mention it’d be selling low on him right now). Just because he and Robert might not overlap, doesn’t mean they aren’t connected.
St Louis has a marginally better record right now. How about if you go back a few seasons and compile all together? And what is the difference in schedule difficulty between Arizona and St Louis? All I’m saying is St Louis has a much longer runway to make mistakes like trading Arozarena and Pham and O’Neill than Arizona does because the road to the post season is harder in the West than it is in the Central.
TAKERDBACKS
Love it! Dbacks have played unreal for their whole staff to be out the whole year.I am a diehard dbacks fan since 98. We need another pen piece for sure. Love to see a veteran like last year when we added pham. Not sure I would want another starter unless maybe a Fedde
HEHEHATE
Here Gomes Deyvison De Los Santos before August 1st!
Roughed Odor
They should call Atkins.
Emilia
Their runner at 3rd with less than 2 outs production has been abysmal in the 1st 2 games back. Friday and Saturday scores were much closer than they should have been
scottaz
The only addition I would like to see is a high leverage left-handed reliever. With Kyle Nelson out for the season with injury and Andrew Saalfrank suspended for gambling, the Dbacks need a left-hander in addition to Joe Mantiply in the bullpen.
The best available left-hander for the bullpen is Garrett Crochet, who is way beyond his innings limit as a starter this year, but could then be converted back to a starter next year and beyond.