Dbacks Look To Increase Playoff Chances As Trade Deadline Nears

Photo: Eduardo Rodriquez is having a great bounce back season

It was around this time last year that the Arizona Diamondbacks dealt four players that in a sense ended their desire to make the playoffs. What was unlikely, was the players that came in nearly got them there. Nevertheless it is a year later, a new season, and a different vibe is apparent around Chase Field. 

The Diamondbacks (57-52) are currently second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West with 53 games to play. Arizona will play 21 more games against teams in their own division. They have seven games versus San Diego, six against the Colorado Rockies, five with the San Francisco Giants, and three with the Dodgers. It is a chance to gain from their current position as the number three and final wild card spot.

Leading the Diamondbacks pitching staff is Eduardo Rodriquez with a very good (10-3) record and a stellar 2.48 ERA, which has been a huge lift after a season. Merrill Kelly returned from a short stint at Texas after the Dbacks sent him over there a year ago. Kelly has struggled some but the veteran should show us his best down the stretch. Right hander Michael Soroka, currently on the 15 day injured list,  has been a pleasant surprise with an (8-3) record and a solid 3.07 ERA.

Photo: Corbin Carroll remains the sparkplug of the offense

The team has seen a slide in hitting, down 9 points from a year ago. Catcher Gabriel Moreno leads the bats with a .308 average. Ketel Marte leads the team in home runs with 19 and with RBIS at 61. Corbin Carroll leads the MLB with 12 triples and has 15 home runs and 49 RBIs. Raising his 249 batting average would be a big plus.

Behind the scenes, General manager Mike Hazen has his work cut out for him as he will be considering what he can do to help the team forward as the trade deadline nears on August 3rd.

There are target areas where the team could improve their chances to make the playoffs. Those spots include a first baseman, a starting and relief pitcher and a preferably right handed designated hitter. The problem may come down to finding a player they can squeeze under the luxury tax. So there is definitely a limit to what can or will be done.

One name being circulated is Detroit Tigers pitcher Tark Skubal. Raised in Kingman, Skubal is a lefty two time Cy Young awarded winner that would be a perfect fit for Arizona, but late rumors have him possibly heading to Los Angeles, and not the Angels. Other pitchers in consideration are right-handers Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta of the New York Mets. Jose Soriano of the Angels, and Emerson Hancock of the Seattle Mariners, both righties.

At the plate options are Alex Burleson of the Cardinals, Nathaniel Lowe of the Reds, Lars Nootbaar of the Cardinals, and Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals.

Last year, the Dbacks finished 80-82 and one game out of making the playoffs. This year looks much more promising.