Jul 8, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Buyers or Sellers? That is what we will be hearing from now until the end of July for the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his latest column, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman has a wish list out for 23 of the 30 Major League teams in baseball. Here is what he wrote about the D’backs:
"Overview: They’ve played beyond expectations with a lowered payroll but are realistic about their standing and unlikely to make a big splash at this point. They may be just as likely to sell but could check out the starting market, though they seem to have sworn off rentals.Needs: Starting pitcher.Possible Top Targets: Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner"
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I, for one, don’t believe Arizona will be trading for a big-time pitcher at this point, let alone trading with a team in their own division. I think they don’t want to surrender any highly-rated prospects for guys like Cashner and Ross who are having down years. However, under his weekly team notes, Heyman did mention that three Snakes can be had for the right price: starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, reliever Addison Reed and infielder Aaron Hill, all of whom “they’ve gotten some interest in all three”.
It is not a shock to see either Hill’s or Reed’s name as guys the front office is willing to deal. As has been for the last year, the D’backs would love to get out from under Hill’s contract, particularly with Chris Owings entrenched at second base and Jake Lamb holding down the hot corner. Reed lost his closer’s job and is currently toiling away at Triple A Reno. He also has a raise coming in arbitration next year. I am a bit more surprised that Hellickson would be mentioned even though his ERA is frightful 5.04. His acquisition was one of the first big moves made by Dave Stewart who dealt Andrew Velazquez and Justin Williams, two good prospects, to get him. However, with Archie Bradley hopefully coming back later this season and the possible jump to the Majors by Aaron Blair next year, one could see Hellickson being on the move again.