Amidst the team’s latest skid that has seen it fall down the standings, the Arizona Diamondbacks are now reportedly focused intently on selling at the upcoming trade deadline.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Arizona is expected to make many of its top names available leading up to the July 31 deadline.
It could be a huge boost for a flurry of contenders desperately in search of more pitching upgrades for their rotation and bullpen. Arizona will have plenty to offer with starting pitchers Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray, along with relievers Andrew Chafin, Archie Bradley and Greg Holland.
The Diamondbacks could also potentially offer a pair of outfielders that are attractive to contenders. Outfielder David Peralta immediately becomes one of the top hitters available at the trade deadline and Jarrod Dyson is a weapon that many teams would covet for the postseason thanks to his speed and defense.
Greinke represents one of the few aces available leading up to the deadline, but the All-Star is owed $70 million over the next two seasons, carries a $2 million trade bonus and can block a deal to a list of 15 clubs he provides to the team.
While Ray can’t match Greinke’s 2.98 ERA and 0.94 WHIP, the 27-year-old has demonstrated an excellent ability to generate strikeouts and is eligible for arbitration in 2020 to give a team another year of his services.
If the Diamondbacks commit to selling off many of their top pieces, the overall return could further strengthen their farm system and quickly make it one of the best in baseball.