Marcos Mendoza | July 26th, 2019
As we approach the trade deadline Mike Hazen and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in a bit of a bind. The Diamondbacks find themselves at 52-51 3.5 games back of the 2nd place in the National League Wild Card race.
With questions surrounding Marcus Stroman and Madison Bumgarner, they could be the two most coveted pitchers available on the market. Zack Greinke still has 2 yrs left on his deal at about $64 MM total money owed. Ray is on the final year of his deal and entering his 3rd arbitration year.
Greinke certainly comes at a steep price with being owed $64 MM in the next 2 seasons. While being owed $64 MM, Greinke still will be absolutely worth the money owed. In his age 35 season, Greinke is still putting up ACE type season. He’s thrown 135 IP, 2.93 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, 7.4 H9, 0.9 HR9, 1.1 BB9, and 8.2 SO9. Greinke is almost certainly at his peak value, and even though he has a high price tag Mike Hazen should be able to acquire a top 100 prospect for the 35 yr old ACE.
Robbie Ray may not be the high quality of Greinke, but he’s younger and owed a greatly reduced amount of dollars. In 123 IP, Ray has a 3.95 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.5 H9, 1.5 HR9, 4.2 BB9, and 11.9. While Ray has issues with his control and giving up the long ball, he is elite at striking out hitters. Once Ray figures out his control issues, he could easily become an All-Star pitcher once again.
Even though the Diamondbacks see themselves only 3.5 GB of the second NL WC spot, Mike Hazen absolutely needs to cash in on Greinke and Ray. With dealing the two pitchers Hazen could potentially acquire two more top 100 prospects. If Hazen could acquire two more top 100 prospects, it would put the Diamondbacks with 5 top 100 and greatly increase the minor league system.
Mike Hazen has done a phenomenal job rebuilding the Diamondbacks farm from the ground up. He’s in a great spot to put them at one of the best minor league farms at this year’s trade deadline. Greinke and Ray are certainly expendable, and he absolutely 100% needs to cash in on the two pitchers. The reason you’re dealing them at this point is to obtain max value from the two and have a greater younger outlook for your franchise’s future.
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