ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

The D-backs are interested in trading a key player for a starter

May 9, 2011, 3:46 PM | Updated: 5:00 pm

This past week Major League Baseball was dominated by pitchers. Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander threw no hitters while guys like Anibal Sanchez flirted with no-nos. The Arizona Diamondbacks haven’t been quite that lucky this year.

Their starting pitchers have the second worst ERA in the majors (5.06) and opponents are hitting .271 against them. The poor pitching has already cost Barry Enright his spot in the rotation and it may be leading the D-backs front office to consider adding another pitcher.

According to FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal the team may be interested in acquiring a starter via trade.

In this, the Year of the Pitcher II, teams with strong offenses are in excellent position to trade for pitching. The Diamondbacks, in particular, seem ideally suited to make such a deal. But the player they are most likely to move, second baseman Kelly Johnson, is batting .175/.256/.317.

If Johnson is the trade bait right now, you’d have to imagine the pitcher they’d get in return wouldn’t be much better than the options they currently have in place. If he can return to his 2010 form though, it could become an intriguing option. With the emergence of guys like Ryan Roberts and Willie Bloomquist in the infield who are hungry for playing time, Johnson has become more expendable.

At 15-18 it isn’t quite clear whether the D-backs will be buyers or sellers come the trade deadline this July. If they can stay near the .500 mark and Johnson’s batting average can get over the .250 mark the idea of selling him to pick up a quality starting pitcher becomes very attractive.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

17 minutes ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

52 minutes ago

Manager Torey Lovullo speaks with Corbin Carroll...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable: Expectations, predictions for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks

What are the expectations for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks? Arizona Sports show hosts and editors make their predictions.

3 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

6 hours ago

Jordan Lawlar, D-backs...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar to have thumb surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have surgery on his right thumb after tearing a ligament, GM Mike Hazen said on Wednesday.

22 hours ago

General shot of Chase Field...

Bailey Leasure

What’s new at Chase Field for the 2024 D-backs season?

The Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season will see the team debut new food items, enhancements to the ballpark and giveaways.

1 day ago

The D-backs are interested in trading a key player for a starter