Arizona Diamondbacks could be active sellers at trade deadline

There are still five weeks to go before the July trade deadline approaches, but the Arizona Diamondbacks could be staring the harsh reality that their season is all but over given their 32-46 record. The team sites in last place in the NL West and have the worst record in the National League. Only the Tampa Bay Rays are playing worse. The D’backs could, in turn, become an active seller in this summer’s trade market.

In fact, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is hearing that the team could consider dealing nearly everyone on their active roster with one notable exception:

"Tony LaRussa has familiarized himself with the Arizona farm system. He certainly knows the major league roster and has seen what everyone else has – an underperforming team that was decimated by injuries right off the bat, including to No. 1 starter Patrick Corbin. LaRussa is working with GM Kevin Towers and the rest of the staff on a plan for the future. But it sure looks as if teams can inquire about everyone except first baseman Paul Goldschmidt."

Cafardo continues to mention three specific names on the club’s roster who could have made for prime pieces to move – Bronson Arroyo, Mark Trumbo, and Martin Prado. Arroyo and Trumbo are tough inclusions though, given their respective injuries. Arroyo was just placed on the disabled list this week with discomfort in his right elbow. It’s the first time he’s landed on the DL in his career but the D’backs still don’t fully know the extent of his injury. There’s a chance that he’ll be out for the remainder of the season. Trumbo had gotten off to a strong start before fracturing his foot in late April. He’s expected back in early July, but there’s no way of knowing if he’ll have enough time to prove his health enough for a team to make a move for him.

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Prado could be an interesting piece, should Arizona make him available. He could bring back a reasonable return.

The 30 year old has been having a somewhat down year at the plate, batting .274/.318/.377 in 314 plate appearances. His on base and slugging percentages mark career lows since he became a regular, but there is still time for those to turn around. He’s spent most of the season playing third base, but can also handle a corner outfield position and has extensive experience at second base as well. With the number of teams potentially looking to upgrade at one of the two infield positions, coupled with Prado’s versatility, he could appeal to numerous teams as an option.

Prado’s under contract for the next two seasons at a combined $22 Million.

Second baseman Aaron Hill (.255/.294/.393) and outfielder Cody Ross (.220/.270/.273) could also be potential trade options for a contending team looking to add a bench bat with some experience. Oliver Perez (2.51 ERA, 1.256 WHIP) and Joe Thatcher (2.57 ERA, 1.143 WHIP) could present intriguing options for teams in need of a left-handed reliever.

The D’backs do have pieces they could move, depending on how extensively they look to sell before the deadline. Goldschmidt, shortstop Chris Owings, and outfielder A.J. Pollock could give the organization a solid foundation to build around if the club is able to acquire some additional young pieces to plug in around them. The D’backs were expected to be better than this, but all hope is not lost if the team is able to make strategic moves that could help them bounce back in 2015.

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