My question is, will Arizona make a similar statement?

Granted, trading for a player the caliber of Ramirez does not happen every season, and he is truly a unique combination of pure talent and interesting character. But there is plenty of talent out there for the picking if the D-backs were looking to add depth for a run at the West title.

July 24, 2012; Philadelphia, PA USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (13) pitches during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

In terms of the team’s depth chart, the team is relatively depth throughout the lineup for position players. Our offense has been stable enough to put up close to five runs a game, with a good combination of speed and power mixed throughout the lineup. From what I can see, pitching has been a thorn in the team’s side all season long.

In the search for starting pitching, the Dodgers have been linked to Chicago Cubs starters Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza. The Rays have been rumored to have made starting pitcher James Shields available, and with the Brewers fading from contention, Zack Greinke has been one of the most sought after starters this trade season.

Although Arizona has prime pitching prospects at the cusp of breaking it into the bigs (Bauer, Skaggs, Corbin), there is a glaring need for depth in the rotation this season. Aside from rookie starter Wade Miley, the rest of the rotation has been anything but consistent this season.

If the team is  serious about making a push for a playoff spot, picking up some depth at the trade deadline would make sense.

July 15, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) is forced out by Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) in the first inning at Wrigley Field. Image: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

This was not the way to come out of the All Star Break.

The Diamondbacks are reeling again, this time after getting swept in Chicago by the NL Central  fifth place Cubs.   About the only good thing that came out of this weekend’s series was another Aaron Hill home run. Other than that, it was one wretched weekend.  Here is all you need to know about what took place:   3 runs in 3 games at the “friendly confines” of Wrigley Field against a team that was 19 games under .500 at the break.   You can understand the lack of offense against Ryan Dempster who has been great in 2012.  But what about the other 21 innings in which he didn’t pitch?     Ugh.

Now they are off to Cincinnati to play the Reds who are on fire after just sweeping the Cardinals and leap frogging over the Pirates into first place.   Cincinnati is riding a six game winning  streak and look poised to go on a big run.   With Jason Kubel missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, this is the wrong time for the struggling D-Backs to face Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and company.   As they have many times already this season, Arizona turns to rookie Wade Miley to stop the bleeding.   The lefty has been outstanding so far this season, in fact you can argue he has been the team’s MVP thus far. 

The D-Backs have shown to be a resilient bunch.  Just look at the series before the break.  They were swept at home by the Padres lost the first game against the Dodgers, then finished strong winning three in a row.  This team is so unpredictable that even a sweep of the Reds is not out of the question.  A dominating performance by Trevor Bauer on Tuesday?  Sure, why not.

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