MLB Rumors: D’Backs shocking trade plans, White Sox rumblings, Pirates call up top prospect
By Kristen Wong
MLB Rumors: Diamondbacks could have shocking trade deadline approach
Leading the NL West by four games, the Arizona Diamondbacks have put themselves firmly in the driver’s seat as calm and collected buyers at the trade deadline. One MLB insider, however, believes Arizona may not necessarily go all-in or adopt an uber-aggressive approach in August.
The club simply can’t afford it.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote in his latest column (subscription required):
"So, might the Diamondbacks, leading the NL West by two games, take a more aggressive approach than they otherwise might at the deadline? Probably not. The Diamondbacks want to sustain success, and a major push would leave them no guarantee for the present and possibly compromise them in the future."
Per Rosenthal, the Diamondbacks are not a high-revenue team and therefore they don’t just have extra money to throw around. They have to make prudent, calculated decisions with their future trades, so they may not end up adding that much talent.
D-backs general manager Mike Hazen appeared on the New York Post’s baseball podcast “The Show” in early June and all but confirmed that Arizona would be buyers at the deadline, aiming to shore up nearly every position.
The D-backs’ pitching rotation and bullpen could see the most changes this summer as Arizona looks to get Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly some extra help. While Arizona will probably add a few pieces, going all-in at the deadline may prove fatal for the club’s long-term future. They still want to win, just not win at that high of a cost.