Arizona Diamondbacks: Three players most likely to be traded this offseason
After the Arizona Diamondbacks finished the 2019 season 21 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, something has to change for them to contend. Which three players are the most likely to be traded in order to compete with the rest of the league?
The Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t have the worst season, they actually improved their record from the previous year. They went 85-77 this season, up from the 82-80 record of last year. The only problem was the Los Angeles Dodgers.
They finished last season 9 1/2 games behind the Dodgers and 8 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot, placing third in the NL West. This season they finished second in the NL West, but a stunning 21 games behind the Dodgers.
They did control their own destiny and had a shot at a Wild Card spot, but faded in the last few weeks of the season to finish four games out of the Wild Card chase. It was definitely a disappointment to see them so close, but unable to get the job done, especially with former D-back Paul Goldschmidt at Chase Field for the final series.
That being said, the ultimate goal is to close the gap between the D-backs and the Dodgers. To do that the rotation must improve. The trades at the deadline this past year were made around the idea of shedding salary, mostly getting rid of Zack Greinke‘s enormous contract.
With those trades in hand, we know Mike Hazen isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on trades. Here are the three players most likely to be traded this offseason.
Jake Lamb
It pains me to write this as I have always been a big Jake Lamb fan. The problem is he has never been able to stay healthy. He is an unrestricted free agent after next season and it is time to cash in and see what the D-backs can get for him.
He has only appeared in 134 games combined between the past seasons, but when healthy has been a great player. The emergence of Ketel Marte, Wilmer Flores, and Eduardo Escobar as players who can play any of the infield positions make him expendable.
Lamb was a 6th round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2012 draft and has spent his entire career with the organization. Trading someone who has been with the team a long time is always difficult but needs to happen in this instance.
He has a career slash line of .242/.331/.439 with 81 career home runs and 302 RBI’s. At only 28, he still has plenty left in the tank. He also had an All-Star appearance in 2017 and has the potential to be great.
If he does indeed get traded this off-season I will always remain a fan of his and will follow his career rooting for him to get back to the success of his 2017 season.
Mike Leake
The Mike Leake experiment needs to end in the desert. Leake is an above-average pitcher entering his 11th year in the league at age 32. The goal for the Arizona Diamondbacks is to get younger in the rotation and add arms who can compete with the Walker Buehler‘s of the rest of the league.
Leake did okay, but only okay. He was 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA in 10 starts. The team needs to turn him into a couple of prospects or good role players to a team in desperate need of veteran leadership in the rotation. Even if they could get a good bullpen arm or two, it would be worth it.
Those numbers line up with what Leake has done his entire career. He is 105-98 through 11 seasons with a 4.05 ERA with 1,231 strikeouts in 296 career starts.
With those career numbers, it might be hard to get something good in return, but the team needs to try. He just doesn’t fit into any type of long term plans the ball club has.
Unfortunately, one thing is for certain and that is Leake is not a part of the future with the D-backs. They need to simultaneously improve and get younger to set them up for the near future.
David Peralta
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David Peralta has been an Arizona Diamondback fan favorite for many years. He has done just about everything the organization has asked of him. The unfortunate thing is he is in the third year of arbitration and it’s time for the team to cash in on their investment.
Peralta slashed .275/.343/.461 last season with 12 home runs and 57 RBI’s. He has been a great outfielder, but having Marte, who can play both outfield and infield positions, there is not a way to justify having him, if they can turn around and get some good value out of him.
I am one of those who loves Peralta and the energy he brings to the dugout. For his career, Peralta is slashing .290/.346/.461 with 85 career home runs and 330 RBI’s. He did win the silver slugger award last season, which has been his best season statistically.
He, unfortunately, has yet to live up to his potential at the plate, so despite anything he brings energy-wise to the dugout, the team can’t justify the investment.
Next. Padres: Three players who could be traded. dark
What do you think? Do you agree with these three? Who do you think is on the way out this off-season? Let me know what you think in the comments.