One name that's been rumored to be available is Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis. The veteran slugger could offer value to the D-backs at a position they've been unable to solidify, if he can stay healthy.

MLB Insider Keith Law told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf Friday he questions Youkilis' ability to maintain an elite level of play given the decrease in production he's suffered in recent years.

"How much are you going to give up for a player [Youkilis'] age, his body type, who's really started to break down," Law asked.

"It's not to say that his career is over but when you are trying to value a guy like that, you're not valuing the production but you're valuing the risk," Law stated. "You know what the guy can produce if he's healthy for 160 games the question is ‘what if he's only healthy for 70-80 games and maybe isn't even producing at quite that same level?'"

The other potential flaw in a deal for Youkilis could be the cost in talent it would take to acquire his services. Law believes general managers are more leery about giving up potential prospects for players who could be deemed risks.

"That's a huge challenge for any GM who's potentially interested in acquiring [Youkilis] then add into the fact that most GM's are just not interested in paying full value," Law stated. "Even if you think you've priced that risk accordingly, if you trade for a player like Kevin Youkilis and you give up say [left-hander] Andrew Chafin in your farm system. Chafin goes on to be something and Youkilis is never anything but hurt, the cost to most GM's is job security.

"I would say the vast majority of GM's are not willing to give up much in a deal like that. It becomes one of the ‘I'll take your contract but I'm really not going to give you any legitimate prospects in return type of trade' and I don't think the Red Sox are at that point right now."

If the D-backs could acquire Youkilis at the right price, there's no doubt they'll have interest. If not, General Manager Kevin Towers has a difficult decision to make. Is it worth the risk to continue to add to this roster, despite the uphill battle the D-backs have ahead of them? Can his team afford to stand pat and get back into the thick of the race without adding another bat?

But with no clear frontrunners emerging in the National League, it won't be easy for Towers to wave the white flag on the D-backs season any time soon.