Trade ideas if Diamondbacks contend (1.0)
Diamondbacks receive: RP Carl Edwards Jr
Nationals receive: OF Pavin Smith, 3B/OF A.J. Vukovich
On paper, the Diamondbacks look like a solid ball club. But there are some areas that might need a little help; the bullpen being one of them. In this trade idea, the Diamondbacks land a solid veteran bullpen arm that has been reliable for most of his career…
In 2022, the Nationals managed to lose the most games out of any MLB team. This prompted a fire sale that saw Washington trade away arguably a top 5 player in baseball, Juan Soto. The rebuild began last year and will most likely continue into the 23’ season. In slithers the Diamondbacks looking for a reliable veteran arm. Carl Edwards Jr. has pitched 248.1 innings in his career and boasts a 3.52 ERA. His best season came in 2018 with the Cubs where he pitched 52 innings and posted a 2.60 ERA. Last season was just as impressive for Edwards Jr. In 62 innings pitched with the Nationals, Edwards Jr. posted a 2.76 ERA. Leaning on a good 4-seam fastball, Edwards posted a -3 run value in 22’ when bringing the heat…
In return for giving up a solid bullpen arm, the Nationals get a proven big-league outfielder and an intriguing prospect that ranks 14th in the Arizona farm system. In 232 big league games, Smith has hit 21 HRs, 86 RBIs, and owns a .712 OPS. Vukovich is only 21 and needs some time to develop but he has been impressive thus far. In 209 minor league games, he’s hit 30 HRs, 140 RBIs, and owns a .447 slugging percentage. Both sides get what they need, and everyone wins…
Diamondbacks receive: SS Tim Anderson
White Sox receive: OF Kyle Lewis, SS Jordan Lawlar
I know right, WOAH NELLY. But hear me out, this trade would push the Diamondbacks from good to great…
On paper, the White Sox look like one of the better teams in all of baseball. That was the case last year however, and they went .500. If the same scenario presents itself again this season, it might be time for GM Rick Hahn and the Sox front office to tear down and start over fresh on a new foundation. In doing this, it would make sense to trade star shortstop Tim Anderson. Anderson’s 6-year deal expires in 2025, but the club has the option to resign him or not in 2024. Anderson is an on-base machine. In his last 374 games, Anderson is getting on base at a .348 rate. He is good defensively as well as he has a career 10 OAA. Nick Ahmed is a great defensive shortstop but he tends to struggle at the plate. This move would give the Diamondbacks one of the best offensive infields in the game…
Here comes the tough part; for a guy like Anderson, the D-backs would have to give up an arm and a leg. Kyle Lewis is an above-average player that could develop into an elite one. In 130 career games, Lewis has hit 25 HRs, 57 RBIs, and owns a .761 OPS. He also owns a 6 OAA which means he is very good on the defensive side of things. The other piece of the trade is Lawlar. Jordan Lawlar is the D-backs #2 prospect behind Corbin Carroll. In 102 minor league games, Lawlar has hit 16 HRs, 62 RBIs, and owns a .402 OBP. This transaction would be tough, but if Arizona wants a ring in the near future, this would be the move to make…
Diamondbacks receive: SP Kyle Hendricks
Cubs receive: SP Nate Savino, SP Dylan Ray
Skipping to the other side of Chicago the Diamondbacks snag a veteran hurler in this trade idea. Kyle Hendricks is a reliable starter that could bolster the D-backs rotation. The last two seasons have been a little rough for the veteran, but before that he was dominant. In 2019, Hendricks posted a 3.46 ERA in 30 starts and in 2020, Hendricks posted a 2.88 ERA in 12 starts. If the Cubs off-season spending spree doesn’t work out, they could look to move Hendricks at the deadline. If he keeps his ERA under 4 before then, this would be a move that would make sense for Arizona…
In return, the Cubs get a pair of pitching prospects. Nate Savino is a lefty that was drafted in 2022 out of the University of Virginia. He has yet to play in the minors but in his collegiate career, he started 28 games, pitched 143.1 innings, and posted a 3.70 ERA. He is known for having good command; walks come rarely when he is on the mound. Dylan Ray is another pitcher fresh out of college. Ray struggled at Alabama but performed well enough in the cape cod league for Arizona to take him in the 4th round of the 22’ draft. Both Savino and Ray are unproven pitchers, but they both possess a lot of potential…
Adding Carl Edwards Jr., Tim Anderson, and Kyle Hendircks would take Arizona from a good team, to a potentially great team. Let's see how agressive Mike Hazen choses to be in 2023...