The ones that got away...
There are many players that come and go over the years. That being said, there are 3 active players that the Diamondbacks front office probably wishes they never would have let go; Taijuan Walker, A.J. Pollock, and Paul Goldschmidt…
SP Taijuan Walker (Philadelphia Phillies)
Walker was with Arizona from 2017-2019 but only pitched one full season. Plagued by an arm injury, Taijuan couldn’t seem to reach 100% in the health department. In his one full season with the Diamondbacks (2017), Walker went 9-9 with a 3.49 ERA while also racking up 146 strikeouts. The following season he made 3 starts and recorded a 3.46 ERA. In 2019, he only pitched one single inning for the D-backs…
Right before the spring training of 2020, Walker signed a one-year deal to return to Seattle where he began his big league career. Between the Mariners and the Blue Jays, he made 11 starts in 2020 going 4-3 with an impressive 2.70 ERA. Quite the bounce-back season for a man recovering from a major arm surgery. Fast forward a year and now Walker is with the NY Mets. Taijuan did not have his best stuff in his 2021 debut season with the Mets but in his second season in NY, he turned things around. Last season Walker was dealing; In 29 starts Walker went 12-5, with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Leaning on a disgusting splitter that recorded a -14 run value, Walker was a huge factor in the Mets 101 win season…
On December 16, 2022, the Phillies announced that they signed Taijuan Walker to a 4-year/$72,000,000 deal. Don’t get me wrong, the front office was patient with Walker and kept him on the roster despite his injury. But as a fan, Walker’s recent success makes you wish that the Diamondbacks front office would have been patient for one more year. Walker would fit perfectly in the 3rd spot in the rotation. Having a top 3 of Gallen, Kelly, and Walker would be scary for opposing teams. We miss you Taijuan…
OF A.J. Pollock (Seattle Mariners)
Pollock is a name most Diamondbacks fans know well. A.J. was with Arizona from 2012-2018. In 637 games with Arizona, Pollock hit 74 HRs, 264 RBIs, and had an average OPS of .782. A solid and reliable everyday outfielder that the Diamondbacks surely miss having…
On January 24, 2019, Pollock signed a 5-year/$60 million contract with the LA Dodgers. Some people in the MLB might say the Dodgers overpaid for A.J., but when you are as wealthy as LA is, it doesn’t really matter as long as you got/get the guy you wanted. In Pollock’s debut season with the Dodgers, he hit 15 HRs, 47 RBIs, and recorded a .795 OPS over the course of 86 games. The following season (2020), Pollock hit 16 HRs, 34 RBIs, and recorded an OPS of .880 over the course of 55 games. In Pollock’s last season with the Dodgers in 21’, he hit 21 HRs, 69 RBIs, and recorded an OPS of .891 over the course of 117 games. As you can tell, Pollock is very effective in the box…
On April 1, 2022, the baseball world was shocked by a blockbuster trade. The Dodgers traded star outfielder A.J. Pollock to the White Sox for star closer Craig Kimbrel. Both veteran players struggled with their new organizations as Pollock recorded his career-lowest OPS in 22’ (.681), and Kimbrel posted a 3.75 ERA which was the second-highest of his career. On January 8 of this year, Pollock signed a 1-year/$7 million contract with the Mariners. He will look to bounce back from a poor 22’ season as he joins a Seattle team that made the postseason last year for the first time since 2002; they are equipped to take the league by storm this season. Too bad Pollock didn’t sign a 1-year deal to rejoin his former D-backs; A team full of youth could use a veteran like Pollock. He would fit perfectly in the outfield with the young guns…
1B Paul Goldschmidt (St. Louis Cardinals)
It amazes me how a name can cause so much pain. All Paul did as a Diamondback was rake, rake, and rake some more. In 1,092 games with Arizona from 2011-2018, Goldschmidt hit 209 HRs, 710 RBIs, and had an average OPS of .917. Can’t ask for anything more from a player…
In the December of 2018, the Cardinals acquired first baseman Paul Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks in exchange for starting pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, and infielder Andy Young. Ouch. In 528 games with the red birds, Goldschmidt has hit 106 HRs, 332 RBIs, and has averaged an OPS of .892. Looking back, this sadly might be one of the worst trades in the history of the MLB…
Could you imagine Goldschmidt, Walker, and Carroll all in the same lineup? Oh, how much fun that would be; but reality is often harsh to us sports fans isn’t it?