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Why Gibson Should Give Goldy a Day Off Once in a While

On August 9, 2013 By

As of the morning of August 9, the Diamondbacks have played 113 games.  Paul Goldschmidt has played in 112.  At 25 years old, Goldy is just entering his physical prime – but it’s fair to wonder whether a day off might benefit him, and the team by extension.

Only Paul Goldschmidt, Kirk Gibson, and maybe a few other people have …

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With Other AZ OFs Offering Premium Production, Jason Kubel Could Get Moved

On August 8, 2013 By

At the trade deadline this season, Jason Kubel was on fans’ “please trade” list, along with Ian Kennedy. Kennedy was sent to San Diego for relief help, but Kubel remains on the roster and in the team’s five-way OF logjam. So should Kubel still get moved?

Of course, the presence of the other four outfielders on the active roster …

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Plus Thatcher and Minus Kennedy, Arizona Gets Reasonable Relief at a Reasonable Price

On August 2, 2013 By

It may be that Kevin Towers traded Ian Kennedy for less than his full value — but when you identify a specific need (lefty reliever) and you only want to move assets of your choice, 80 cents on the dollar is not so bad.  You expect to pay an exchange rate when you only have foreign currency to pay with, …

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After Three Years, a Look Back on the Haren Trade to Angels

On July 31, 2013 By

Now that three years have passed since Arizona traded Dan Haren to the Angels, it’s a good time for a collaboration with Halos Daily on how the trade has panned out.  Check out their post on the Angels’ end of the trade.

Dan Haren has been involved in two of the four or five most significant trades in the history …

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Oakland Athletics Could Be Good Trade Fit for Arizona

On July 30, 2013 By

I’ve indulged in an inordinate amount of wishful thinking during this trade deadline season, but more than 24 hours left to spare, I’m going to keep at it.  I continue to think that SS/2B Chris Owings, in particular, fits another team better than the Diamondbacks because the team is set at SS and 2B for the foreseeable future (Didi Gregorius …

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As Trade Dominos Fall, Fewer Relief Options for Towers

On July 29, 2013 By

As of this writing, July 29 has already seen two trades of relievers — Angels LHP Scott Downs to Atlanta, and Astros RHP Jose Veras to Detroit.  Despite his current status on the disabled list, White Sox RHP Jesse Crain is also rumored to be on the move, to either Tampa Bay or “another club.”  It has also been …

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Possible Trades: Is Toronto a Match with Arizona?

On July 28, 2013 By

Arizona’s main need right now is in the bullpen.  Before Sunday’s game, GM Kevin Towers reiterated that adding another LHP to Tony Sipp was front office’s main priority right now.  Given the continued recent struggles of David Hernandez (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 runs, 2 of them earned), perhaps the search should include some RHP targets as …

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The State of the ‘Pen: Options for Arizona from Inside and Outside the Organization

On July 26, 2013 By

Like many teams, Arizona is monitoring the market for potential upgrades via trade.  Given the recent performance of the rotation and the imminent return of Trevor Cahill and Brandon McCarthy, the Dbacks really do not have a need for a starting pitcher.  There are very few starters available who might represent an upgrade anyway.  Likewise, the Dbacks do not …

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The Dbacks’ Matt Adams “Problem”: 5 Outfielders, 3 Spots

On July 25, 2013 By

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Matt Adams is having a great season.  In 164 plate appearances, Adams has hit 7 home runs, maintaining a solid walk ratio and hitting .307.  The problem: Adams only starts when 1B/OF Allen Craig or OFs Carlos Beltran or Matt Holliday miss time.  One wonders what Adams could accomplish in a season with 600 PAs (25-30 …

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Corblog: Corbin Sprinkles Pixie Dust, Dbacks Offense Erupts

On July 24, 2013 By

Patrick Corbin entered the day yesterday 12-1, with a 17-2 team record in games he started.  Make that 18-2.  Fresh off a whopping ten days of rest interrupted only by a rocky appearance in the All-Star Game, Corbin showed no signs of rust early and late in the game Tuesday, pitching out of trouble in all of his six …

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No Need for Starting Pitchers as Trade Market in Focus for Dbacks

On July 22, 2013 By

Fans and GM Kevin Towers seem to agree: the real area of need for the Diamondbacks is on the defensive side of the ball.  Although the team is only 5th in scoring in the league, there are no obvious places for improvement in the lineup.  In the infield, the team has an MVP candidate at first, an above-average second baseman, …

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All-Star Game Recap

On July 17, 2013 By

Patrick Corbin was not at his best against the American League’s best last night, surrendering a double by Miguel Cabrera to deep right, a Chris Davis single tipped in the air by Joey Votto’s glove, and a long sacrifice fly by Jose Bautista.  He did close out the inning quickly, getting a bouncer to short from David Ortiz for a …

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