Famous author J.K. Rowling once said, “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
I think the Diamondbacks need to slap this quote on a poster and hang it in on a wall in their dugout. Rock bottom is the definition of this team right now.
Allow me to show you. Over the last 30 days, Arizona is 24th in runs scored and 26th in team ERA. They are also 2-8 in their last 10 (games), and 6-14 in their last 20. Yikes.
To make matters worse, they lost 10-6 last night against a St. Louis Cardinals team that came into the tilt 12 games under .500; soon to be sure sellers at the trade deadline.
Is all hope lost? Absolutely not. Here are six pitchers the D-backs could acquire to salvage their season…
Diamondbacks should trade for Tigers SP Michael Lorenzen
Wouldn’t you love to have a guy on your team nicknamed Mikey Biceps?
Lorenzen is certainly flexing his stuff this season. Long-time Reds pitcher, Lorezen signed with the Tigers this past offseason on a 1-year deal.
He has been lights out for Detroit. In 17 starts, he has an impressive 3.49 ERA. He also boasts a 1.09 WHIP and a 2.32 walks per 9-inning rate. These impressive numbers carried him to his first all-star appearance this season.
What’s even more impressive is his performance in July. Here are the numbers from his past 3 starts: 3 wins, 18.2 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts, 0 earned runs.
Diamondbacks should trade for Pirates CP David Bednar
There aren’t many closers in the game that are as dominant as Bednar.
In 38 games this season, Bednar is 3-1 with a 1.15 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. When it comes to crunch time, he is 19 for 20 in save situations. 19 for 20! He’s only let his team down once this season!
Getting an arm like his for the back end of the bullpen would set Arizona up for so many more wins.
Diamondbacks should trade for Cardinals SP Jordan Montgomery
This move would greatly benefit not only the rotation but the bullpen as well.
Montgomery is having a very good year for St. Louis. In 20 starts, he has recorded 6 wins, 115 innings pitched, an ERA of 3.37, and a WHIP of 1.23.
In 5 June starts, he went 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA, and in 4 July starts, he has a 2.74 ERA. He has gotten better as the season has gone on and the Diamondbacks need to strike while the iron is hot.
Make your move, Hazen!
Diamondbacks should trade for Rockies RP Daniel Bard
Trust me, I know he is 38. But have yall watched the movie Moneyball?
Age doesn’t always have to be a factor and for Bard, it’s certainly not slowing him down. He’s almost like fine wine; better with age.
Last season Bard finished with a 1.79 ERA (60.1 innings pitched) and this season he has posted an ERA of 2.02.
Everyone knows how hard it is to pitch at Coors Field yet Bard has a 2.50 ERA at home this season. This guy is the real deal and would provide much-needed relief to guys like Ginkel and Nelson.
Diamondbacks should trade for A’s SP JP Sears
I know this isn’t the flashiest pick, but maybe a change of scenery would take Sears from average to elite.
JP Sears is 1-7 with a 4.19 ERA this season. His ERA is only solid but his WHIP is unbelievable. Sears is giving up 1.07 walks+ hits per inning which ranks him 7th in all of baseball.
Being on the worst team in baseball can kill your motivation. If Sears came to a ball club like the Diamondbacks it makes you wonder if his newfound motivation would mold him into one of the better pitchers in baseball.
Diamondbacks should trade for Tigers RP Tyler Holton
This one is a bit tricky. It’s tricky because Detroit may not want to give up a guy like this.
How about a Tyler Holton reunion? Last season, Holton appeared in 10 games with Arizona. He pitched 9 innings and gave up 3 earned runs.
In the offseason, the Tigers claimed him off waivers and boy oh boy, the Diamondbacks let this one get away.
Holton has been incredible. In 34 games, Holton has posted a 1.70 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He has struck out 46 batters in 53 innings and he has only allowed 15 free passes.
In 9 games this month, he has yet to give up an earned run…