Diamondbacks trade deadline: 6 bats that would bolster this struggling offense

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 trades the D-backs could make to salvage their season…

Diamondbacks should trade for A’s 1B Ryan Noda

Early in June, I wrote an article talking about how the D-backs should trade for Noda.  I bragged about how this guy is an on-base machine and guess what?  He still is.

On the season overall, Noda has an on-base percentage of .375 and an OPS of .793.  His other numbers, such as his 38 RBIs, might be a little misleading considering he is on a team that is currently 46 games below .500.

One thing Noda does exceptionally well is work the opposing pitcher.  Out of all AL hitters, Noda is 1st in walk percentage and 4th in pitches per plate appearance.

He can wear out a starting pitcher like it’s nobody's business so having a guy like him at the top of the lineup would do wonders for the heart of the order.

This is a match made in Heaven…

Diamondbacks should trade for White Sox DH Eloy Jimenez

If Arizona wants to add some muscle to their lineup, this would be the guy.

In 382 career games, Jimenez has an overall slugging percentage of .499!  To put that into perspective Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes has a .500 slugging percentage this season and is 8th in the AL in that category.

This season Eloy has battled injuries but has still managed to hit 12 doubles, and 13 home runs in 66 games.

So far in July, he is 18-54 (.333) with an OPS of .887.

Diamondbacks should trade for Nationals RF Lane Thomas

Lane Thomas was a hitting machine in the month of June.

In 25 June games, Thomas went an impressive 34-100 (.340).  He also recorded 17 RBIs and an OPS of 1.014.  Only Christian Walker and Fernando Tatis Jr. had more extra-base hits than Thomas did last month.

Overall on the season, Thomas is a .293 batter with an OPS of .830.  It would be a huge splash if the D-backs could acquire a player that is top 5 in the NL in batting average…

Diamondbacks should trade for Nationals 3B Jeimer Candelario

How about acquiring a veteran infielder that is having the best season of his career?

Jeimer has been around the league since 2016.  He has always been a solid player, but this season he has reached a new level.

Candelario boasts a .486 slugging percentage paired with 16 HRs and 50 RBIs.  He has more extra-base hits (46) than Corbin Carroll and he has been exceptional defensively at the hot corner this year.

Out of all major league third basemen, Candelario is 6th in outs above average.  A good bat and a good glove, make it happen, Hazen!

Diamondbacks should trade for Pirates DH Andrew McCutchen

This would be interesting no doubt.

If the D-backs were to trade for the veteran righty, it would be McCutchen’s 6th team he has played for.  Noda has been an on-base machine this season, but Andrew astonishingly tops him.

In 81 games this season, Cutch has an OBP of .384.  That clip ranks him 7th in the NL.  Like Noda, McCutchen works and wears down the opposition.

He is currently seeing as many pitches per plate appearance as Juan Soto and in the month of June, he got on base 46% percent of the time which was 1st in all of baseball in that category!

Diamondbacks should trade for Cardinals IF Brendan Donovan

Last, but certainly not least.

After torching the D-backs last night (3 hits and 2 runs), I would love for Arizona to make a move for this guy.

The 26-year-old is having a solid season at the plate.  In 90 games, Donovan has a .287 average, a .371 on-base percentage, and an OPS of .801.

Donovan is also very clutch at the plate.  When it comes to batting with runners on base, Donovan ranks 7th in the NL in average, 3rd in OBP, and 20th in slugging.

So far in 16 July games, he is 20-57 (.351) with 5 extra-base hits and 10 RBIs.  To add the cherry on top, Donovan is versatile and can play in the field anywhere except catcher and center field!