Two players the Diamondbacks should trade for before July

Smile Diamondbacks fans, your team is 35-25, tied for first in the NL West with the lucrative LA Dodgers.

The Diamondbacks have won 6 of their last 10, and head to the east coast to take on the struggling Washington Nationals. 

Remember that 2019 Cinderella Nationals team that won the World Series against the cheating Astros?  Yeah well, almost none of those players from that roster are currently on the team.

Juan Soto?  Gone.  Anthony Rendon?  Gone.  Trea Turner?  Gone.  Max Scherzer?  Gone.

Washington is a shell of what it once was and they currently sit in the basement of the NL East with a 25-34 record.  Who is their best player now you may ask?  3B Jeimer Candelario.

Though Arizona boasts an impressive record there are still areas of concern for this team.  Some holes that need to be filled to truly compete come October.

Here are two trades that should happen if the D-backs want a legitimate shot at their second-ever World Series title.

The Diamondbacks should trade for A’s 1B Ryan Noda

Now I know what you are thinking.  “What about Christian Walker?” Well in this scenario, the D-backs trade for Noda solely for his ability at the plate.  He would become Arizona’s permanent DH.

Yes, I am aware that the Diamondbacks are 6th in the league in runs per game, but trading for a guy like Noda would push this offense into the top 5. 

The depth of Arizona’s lineup is among the best of the best, but adding an on-base machine would produce even more runs.

When I say on-base machine, I mean on-base machine.  Ryan Noda currently has an OBP of .403 which ranks him 7th among all players.  He sees 4.36 pitches per plate appearance which also ranks him 7th among all players and his 19.4% walk rate is second only behind Padres star Juan Soto.

Let’s face it, the Arizona lineup is not known for its patience at the plate.  The D-backs offense is 24th in the league in walks so landing a selective and patient hitter like Noda would make this offense so much more dangerous. 

Imagine Noda at the top of the lineup getting on base for guys like Gurriel Jr., Carroll, and Walker.  Sounds like a pleasant dream to me.

Possible trade package:
Diamondbacks receive: 1B Ryan Noda and RP Sam Long
A’s receive: 1B/3B Ivan Melendez (D-backs #7 ranked prospect) and SP Joe Elbis (D-backs #26 ranked prospect)

The Diamondbacks should trade for Rockies RP Brent Suter

Noad was a want, Suter is a need.

Arizona’s bullpen ranks 21st in ERA, 22nd in WHIP, 19th in batting average against, and 18th in walks per 9 innings.  Is that bad?  I think that is bad.

For how bad this bullpen has been, it is astounding that this team is 10 games above .500.  I know that Arizona already has two lefties in the pen, but adding Suter would give them an arm that is more than reliable.

In his career, Suter has pitched 430.1 innings.  His career ERA is 3.37; I am surprised his nickname isn’t Ol’ Reliable at this point.  He has been more than just reliable for the Rockies as he is having a breakout season so far in 2023.  In 35.2 innings out of the bullpen, he is 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA and a .195 batting average against.

Since he pitches in Colorado his numbers are actually deceiving.  Away from the thin air in Denver he has pitched 19.1 innings and has posted a unbelievable ERA of 0.47.

The additions of Noda and Suter would take this Arizona ball club to the next level, no doubt about it…

Possible trade package:
Diamondbacks receive: RP Brent Suter
Rockies receive: 2B/SS Ryan Bliss (D-backs #29 ranked prospect)