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The Diamondbacks, for all their early season struggles, still have one incredibly valuable thing going for them:

Outstanding pitching depth.

Between Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Wade Miley, Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders and Patrick Corbin, the team has plenty of capable big league arms, and that doesn't include minor leaguers Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs, either of whom could be promoted at any time.

Needless to say, there simply are not enough spots in a five-man rotation for everybody, and with Hudson set to come off the DL soon, someone is going to have to go. And soon.

"Don't be surprised if the D-backs entertain offers for lefty Joe Saunders before the deadline, regardless of where they are in the standings," FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said over the weekend.

Saunders is 2-3 with a 3.55 ERA this season. He signed a one-year contract with the club in January, and provides veteran experience as well as solid pitching from the back of the rotation.

That's not to say the D-backs will get an incredible haul in return for the 30-year-old. He's not a front-line starter and, with the rest of the league knowing the D- backs want to move him, are not likely to offer the farm.

However, the D-backs would not be moving Saunders because they're looking for a great return, as they'd simply be looking to open up a spot in the rotation for one of their youngsters.

Which is why, no matter where they are in the playoff race, a move is likely to get done.

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    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Why listen to offers for just Saunders?
    The Dbacks have great depth, but no one pitcher is head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe you can get something better in return for one of the other pitchers. Dumping a solid pitcher like Saunders just to clear a roster spot doesn't make sense.
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    mesa mad man wrote...
    sundevil
    Kennedy, Hudson, Corbin, Miley, Bauer, Skaggs.. all have youth on their side and a much higher ceiling. Saunders is not part of our future - as evident by the 1 year contract. The rest of those guys likely could be.
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