Arizona Diamondbacks 2021 Trade Deadline Predictions!

Where will each Arizona Diamondbacks player that gets traded end up?

I am going to attempt to make my predictions on where each Arizona Diamondbacks ends up being traded to and the return that I would expect the D-backs to get.  Last week, I previewed who might end up traded, now I decide where they go. Now, none of these trades would end up with crazily favoring the D-backs as I am a sensible Dark Lord of the Sith. I want the Diamondbacks to be an empire but I’m not building a Death Star. This is another slide show, I love them, sorry. Not really. Anyways, this is going to either be a chaotic trade deadline for the Diamondbacks or rather disappointing. Every prospect ranking is courtesy of the MLB.

So with the introduction taken care of, let us begin on our journey around the MLB and the Trade Deadline.

Arizona Diamondbacks Eduardo Escobar to the White Sox

I say the Dbacks trade Escobar to the White Sox for Jonathan Stiever, the White Sox #4 prospect. I considered the Dbacks trying to acquire Jimmy Lambert and Jake Burger, two prospects who are near ready for the MLB or have already started to play in the MLB as such with Burger. Instead I figured the Dbacks would like to get a pitcher who has had a taste of the MLB in Stiever. He’s in Triple-AAA, an area the Dbacks need high-level pitching desperately. With the Dbacks, Stiever might even start right away in their bullpen eating up innings. Stiever has struggled this year but has the potential to be a middle-of-rotation starter. Getting that in return for a half-season of Escobar would be a great return. The White Sox do this trade since they are pushing all in this year and Escobar would help them more than any prospect would.

Joakim Soria and Asdrubel Cabrera of the Arizona Diamondbacks go to the A’s in my prediction

Joakim Soria has been an end-of-game reliever for as long as I can remember. He has saved and closed many games. He has pitched crucial 8th and 7th innings for playoff-contending teams for years. There’s no way a team doesn’t want him, even after a below-average (by his standards) first half. Soria has turned it up lately, looking more like his old self. This just entices playoff-contending teams even more! I also can see Asdrubal Cabrera being included with Soria in order to increase the return and give a contending team a veteran playoff-tested bench bat who can come up big in huge situations. These guys aren’t due more than 1.2 million for rest of season combined so they are a cheap yet very nice pick-up for any team who gets them. For that reason, I have the Athletics acquiring these guys.

I have the Diamondbacks acquiring the #24 and 27 ranked prospects from the Athletics. Howard is a hard throwing giant of a pitcher with command issues. His ultimate landing spot is most likely to be the bullpen where the Diamondbacks need help. He is in Triple-AAA and could even help right away. Meanwhile Guldberg is a fast and thin Outfielder who ultimately may be a utility type player. He is in High-A+ right now and wouldn’t factor into either team’s plans for a while. It’s that reason I could see the Athletics trading him as he wouldn’t help them right now. Joakim played with the Athletics for the past few years prior to this one. They know him well and love what he can do.

Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks is traded to Seattle Mariners

Merrill Kelly is one of the best trade chips the Arizona Diamondbacks have. He is under a team friendly contract with a team option for next year. He has been durable once again not missing any starts this year. The option is only 5.25 million, which is eminently affordable for every team. He has been dominating his last few starts. He owns a 3.59 FIP in his last 15 or so starts. The Dbacks will set a high price on Kelly but teams might pay that price if they need a starting pitcher. The Mariners need help in their rotation after suffering numerous injuries. The Mariners also want someone, I’m assuming, to be able to play for them past this year. Merrill Kelly fits that and he is cheap. The Mariners also have a well-regarded farm system which fits what the Dbacks want. My fellow sister site Sodo Mojo gave me the idea of Merrill Kelly to the Mariners. I honestly thought that the Mets would work better so watch out for them but I can also easily see the Mariners wanting Kelly. I prefer their prospects to the Mets too as do the Dbacks I’m sure.

Now I was tempted to aim higher for the Dbacks in their return for Merrill Kelly. I’d love for them to end up with Juan Then or another of their top-7 prospects. However I feel this is a solid return for 1 1/2 years of Kelly. Brandon Williamson is the Mariners #8 prospect and is a talented left-handed pitcher. He is currently in Double-AA after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2019 draft. He has the potential to develop into a mid-rotation starter, though nothing is guaranteed, and has struck 88 batters in 55 innings.  Meanwhile, Austin Shenton is the team’s #17 prospect and plays 3B. That’s crucial as that is the weakest spot for the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system. The Dbacks need more 3B depth and Shenton is relatively close to the Majors. He’s currently in Double-AA after being taken in the 5th round of the 2019 draft. He can hit for contact and power. His defense is average but could improve. Overall, neither of these guys will end up being someone that the Mariners will miss if they can make the playoffs in this year or next and break the streak. The Diamondbacks would gain two younger prospects who might make it to the Majors or might not. They are worth the risk though.

Could David Peralta be the next Arizona Diamondbacks player to end up in St. Louis via trade?

Now David Peralta seems to be traded, at least according to Robert Murray of FanSided. I lean towards him being traded too. I have seen in years past that the St. Louis Cardinals always liked Peralta. Peralta was originally signed by the Cardinals and used to pitch in their organization. Now he could come back as a platoon OF who can provide good power, hitting tools, and leadership. He’s on an affordable contract that goes to the end of 2022, at 7.5 million a year. The Diamondbacks would probably pay a bit of that off to get a better return from the Cardinals good minor league system. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are rallying to be in the playoffs in 2022. Having a good left-handed hitter who can play LF or RF is always a good thing to have.

I discussed above what the Cardinals would get. How about the Arizona Diamondbacks? As mentioned prior, the Dbacks have little 3B depth. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are flush with that. I have the Dbacks acquiring Brendan Donovan, the #25 prospect in St. Louis system. He is near ready for the Majors, playing in Double-AA and 24 already. He has shown to have solid contact skills with a .315 BA this year. He fits the Dbacks mentality of take walks, not strikeouts as he has 29 walks to 13 strikeouts. He can field well. He is currently blocked by Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman, the Cardinals top two 3B in their organization. Thus, they should be willing to deal him. Griffin Roberts is a pitcher who ranks #24 in the Cardinals system. The Cardinals are known for selecting good pitchers as look at what Zac Gallen and Sandy Alcantara are doing. He is also in Double-AA and near MLB ready as a reliever. He is trying to be a starter but he might end up long-term as a reliever. Either way, the Dbacks need more pitching so he helps.