Arizona Diamondbacks Sombering 2021 Trade Deadline Preview
Which Arizona Diamondbacks are possibly traded for the Right Offer
Nick Ahmed : Nick is a slick-fielding Gold Glove winner Shortstop who does not hit much. He is a leader in the clubhouse and one of the last remaining players from before the Mike Hazen-Torey Lovullo era. He would be highly valued if he was hitting near where he was the last two years. He has a 68 OPS+ (100 is league average) this year compared to being in the 90’s the last two years. He is also signed to a contract that has two years left with each being over eight million. It’s hard to see any team trying to acquire him right now and the Dbacks have no SS depth behind him. Unless the right offer comes, he will stay.
David Peralta: Peralta is in the same boat as Ahmed but he is more highly valued around the league. He is also one of the last players before the current Hazen-Lovullo era. He is the leader of this team. He’s a hard-working , Gold Glove caliber, power hitting left fielder. He has playoff experience and would bring a solid approach to a playoff-chasing team in need of a left handed hitting outfielder. The issues are that the D-backs might not want to trade him, at least not right now. He is the soul of the team and signed to the end of 2022 on a fairly team-friendly deal at only 7.5 million a year. Never say never though if the right offer comes, he could be traded. Although, FanSided’s resident MLB expert, Robert Murray believes Peralta will be traded.
Josh Reddick: Reddick is a veteran outfielder who wouldn’t cost much to acquire at all. He brings veteran leadership and playoff experience. He’s continued his contact oriented hitting this year. The only issue to him being traded is a lack of interest when there are far superior outfielders to acquire, including on the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is a free agent at the end of season so he could be on the move for sure.
Christian Walker: Walker is in the midst of a years-long slump but very defensively sound. He is also controllable for a few more years despite being already past 30. The Dbacks would be selling low and will most likely wait for him to get back to his hitting ways.
Madison Bumgarner: He’s pitching better than he did in 2020. He isn’t back to his Giants level but he’s a veteran lefty who has gobs of playoff experience. The issue is his contract. Unless the D-backs pay a lot of his contract , which in that case they should keep him, he most likely won’t be traded. With 60 or so million dollars still owed to him, he will stay put unless they get a shocking offer.
Arizona Diamondbacks Most Likely to be Traded before the Trade Deadline
Eduardo Escobar: His smiles will definitely be missed. He just made the All-Star team this year for the first time in his career. He has 22 home runs, plays good defense at third and second base. He has a .239 ISO (slugging minus batting average). He is a genuinely beloved player across multiple teams while bringing a veteran influence. He is also a free agent after the season which decreases the monetary compensation to a team that is trying to stay under the luxury tax. He has been on fire lately and is the Arizona Diamondbacks most likely player to be traded at the Trade Deadline.
Merrill Kelly: The home-town kid who came to the Arizona Diamondbacks after pitching in Korea is our most likely pitcher to be traded. He has been our most reliable pitcher. He hasn’t missed any starts this year. He pitches deep into games and eats up innings. He is by no means an ace but he is a great #4/5 pitcher in a rotation. Playoff chasing teams are desperate for reliable starting pitchers at the Trade Deadline. Merrill just pitched 8 innings in his last game against the Cubs. He will be in high demand. He also is controllable via a club option through 2022. This raises his trade value even more.
Asdrubal Cabrera: This veteran infielder who can play third, first, and even second in a pinch will be on his way to a new team come July 30th. He gets on base, playoff tested, a leader in the clubhouse, and can hit for power. He has been injured but is close to recapturing form and getting healthy. Even if he is on the IL, he still might get traded to a team that needs a bench bat.
Joakim Soria: He has turned the season around in the last few weeks, performing more like he has his whole career. He has six saves in July so far. He has been a top relief pitcher for most of his career and should have a market for his services. Relief Pitchers are always in demand.
Tyler Clippard: He just came back from injury. He had missed the whole season to this point. Yet, relief pitchers are always in demand and Clippard has a lot of experience pitching in big moments. He also wouldn’t cost the acquiring team much at all and is cheap. I can definitely see him being dealt.
Caleb Smith: Why would Caleb be traded when we just got him last year? He’s a starting pitcher who is left-handed. They are always in high demand at this time of year. He also is controllable through 2023 which raises his value to the Diamondbacks and other teams. He also has turned his season around after a miserable start. He excelled in a bullpen role before coming back to the starting rotation. He has a 10.2 K/9 which always interest teams. Smith could stay or be traded but my money right now is on him being traded.
Kole Calhoun: Kole has been injured most of this season. He is finally healthy now though. He has great left-handed power while providing solid right field defense. He is a veteran leader who plays the game the right way. He is also on an expiring contract unless the team who has him pick up his option for next season. He doesn’t have a ton of trade value right now, but I can see the Diamondbacks trying to get something for him at the Trade Deadline.
Much to the Chagrin of other fans, these Diamondbacks are not getting traded
As much as other teams may want these guys, they just are simply not going anywhere. The Arizona Diamondbacks have never gone through a complete tear-down under the Hazen-Lovullo era. They pride themselves on fielding a competitive team while continuing to build up the minor league system. When Mike Hazen took over, the Arizona Diamondbacks had an atrocious minor league system, one of the worst in the MLB. Now, they have one of the top ten while having made the playoffs once, and finishing over .500 in three of the five seasons. Hazen has ridden the tightrope and there’s no reason to think he won’t continue to do so. Hazen spoke recently on how he believes that the Diamondbacks have a core group that can compete. These players are under contract for at least three years and are young. Thus, the following players will not be getting traded at the Trade Deadline:
Zac Gallen: The Milkman is the ace of the rotation. He is staying put.
Ketel Marte : Sorry Mariners and Yankees fans, he is the Diamondbacks star player. Their MVP contender. He is also under contract for team friendly options for multiple years.
Pavin Smith: The first draft pick made by Mike Hazen with the Diamondbacks has developed into a dark horse Rookie of the Year pick.
Carson Kelly: The catcher of the future for the Diamondbacks who was was having a career year before his fractured wrist.
Must Read. Venom Strikes is Back covering the Arizona Diamondbacks!. light
Other players that will not be traded: Josh Rojas, Daulton Varsho, Luke Weaver, Stuart Fairchild, JB Bukauskas, and Andy Young.
July 30th is coming soon and it will be quite a momentous day for the Arizona Diamondbacks. This trade deadline will alter the course of the D-backs future. Make sure you come back to this site on the evening of July 30th as we will be recapping all the trades from the trade deadline. Teaser for tomorrow’s article, Minor league teams.
As always, May the Force be with You…