Jun 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Diamondbacks despite sweeping the Cubs and moving into fourth place in the National League West, are still sellers in 2014, let’s be real. This team certainly has momentum but it is a very long shot that this team can win the West division in 2014. That’s why Tony La Russa and Kevin Towers need to keep thinking about 2015 and beyond and keep making moves.
Very few experts and executives around the league believe this team is done trading off pieces to contenders. While second basemen Aaron Hill and third basemen Martin Prado have garnered the most attention, Dbacks reliever Brad Ziegler might be traded first. There are several teams that are still looking for relievers including the Tigers and Ziegler would be a perfect fit on any team because of his consistency
Dbacks Team President Derrick Hall talked about Ziegler:
“He’s impossible to replace,” Hall said. “We saw how bad our team was back in ’08, ’09 and ’10 when we didn’t have a bullpen and how critical it is to have guys who can come in and hold a game in the seventh or eighth or even close if you need them to due to injury in the ninth — Brad’s done all of that.”
“Brad Ziegler has been so consistent for us the last couple years. He’s been our go-to guy. He keeps the ball in the ball park, puts the ball on the ground, he gets the double play when he needs to,” Hall said. “You just have so much confidence when that bullpen gate swings open and out comes Brad. It’s tough to find guys like that.
“As long as you have that guy in the bullpen — and again, we’re talking about balancing it with veterans and young players, he is somebody you need down there to balance it out as a veteran presence who is going to come in and get the job done.”
Ziegler will no doubt draw tons of interest around the majors. He is one of the most consistent relievers in the MLB and can get out of a jam better than most. Based on Hall’s comments I wonder if they will trade him. The Tigers are the frontrunner and have had inquiries about him, but as Fox Sports Jon Morsi reported, Arizona is apparently inclined to keep him.
Sources: Tigers have inquired on availability of DBacks reliever Brad Ziegler, but Arizona seems inclined to keep him.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 19, 2014
If this team can get a good deal in place, I think it’s time to trade Ziegler. They have to think about 2015. It would allow this team to cut payroll and they have guys that are ready to step into big roles: Matt Stites, Jake Barrett, and Evan Marshall. It will depend on what Ziegler wants to do as well, that will be a key part of any trade negotiations. I think the Dbacks can get a good deal for him because he is generating so much interest with the deadline being so close, or who knows maybe they don’t trade and he is apart of the next phase of this team in 2015.
What do you think the Dbacks should do with Zielger? Leave your thoughts in comments section below.