After the Arizona Diamondbacks backed into the playoffs in 2023, the NL West club won three straight postseason series en route to their first World Series birth since 2001. Arizona, for the first time in more than a half-decade, bought at the deadline, acquiring closer Paul Sewald and Designated Hitter Tommy Pham, parting ways with a handful of prospects, including the hitting duo of Dominic Canzone and Josh Rojas.
A year later, the Diamondbacks are again at the center of the NL Wild Card race, sitting at 52-50 entering Wednesday’s series finale against the Kansas City Royals. Arizona should set its eyes on three positions at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline to best position itself for another World Series run this October.
Top Priority: High Leverage Left-Handed Relief Pitcher
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Last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks leaned on the trio of Joe Mantiply, Andrew Saalfrank, and Kyle Nelson to pitch out of the bullpen from the left side. Manager Torey Lovello used Nelson and Saalfrank in more high-leverage situations, including each being called upon in crucial junctions of the playoffs. However, Nelson is out for the season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery, while Saalfrank has a year-long suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy. Meanwhile, Mantiply, although dependent (called “Everyday Joe” for a reason), has not owned an ERA+ north of 100 since 2022.
With Mantiply the only lefty in the D-Backs bullpen, Arizona’s top priority heading into the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline should be a top pitcher from the left side. The top options available are Tanner Scott and Andrew Chafin. Scott owns a remarkable 1.94 ERA and 28 saves in his last 120.2 innings, all with the Miami Marlins. With Scott likely commanding a heavy price, a reunion with Chafin could be more realistic. Chafin holds a 3.48 ERA, 2.64 FIP, and 11.8 K/9 in a resurgent season with the Detroit Tigers this year.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Add Innings Eater
The Diamondbacks’ current bullpen sits Miguel Castro, Bryce Jarvis, Paul Sewald, Justin Martinez, Kevin Ginkel, Thyago Vieira, Joe Mantiply, and Ryan Thompson. With Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez destined for a mid-August return, Ryne Nelson will likely shift to the bullpen, with Vieira (career 5.81 ERA) ticketed for Reno. Meanwhile, Castro has a 5.40 ERA in 11.2 innings this season after posting a 5.40 ERA in the second half of last year. Arizona could replace Castro, a middle relief pitcher with late-inning potential, with another righty at the deadline.
Arizona could eye veteran righties Hunter Harvey, John Brebbia, Luis Garcia, Dylan Floro, Derek Law, and Lucas Ereeg at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. With Jason Adam, Peter Fairbanks, and Michael Kopech likely fetching higher prices, it makes sense for the Diamondbacks to buy low on relief pitching that has operated this season outside the typical setup and closer roles. Harvey could be an excellent match for the D-Backs, with his double-digit strikeout rate helping a bullpen that struggles to punch out hitters.
D-Backs Go All In Go And Get Mason Miller
Paul Sewald, the current closer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, will enter free agency this upcoming winter. Sewald has had his ups-and-down but has yet to own the typical high-velocity arsenal of a closer in today’s MLB. He also enters his age-35 season next year, meaning Arizona could look elsewhere, like flamethrower Justin Martinez, to take on the role in 2025.
The Diamondbacks could also keep Martinez in his current setup role while looking elsewhere to find Sewald’s successor. The Arizona Diamondbacks could become the talk of the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline, sending a haul to the Oakland Athletics for elite closer Mason Miller. Arizona already has a logjam in the outfield and could use Jake McCarthy as a headliner to acquire Miller. Additionally, McCarthy will not enter free agency until 2029. Add top 15 prospects Jorge Barrosa (outfield), Ivan Melendez (first base), and a fringe top 30 prospect, like Luke Albright, and the D-backs could land Miller’s services until at least 2030.
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