ESPN insider applauds D-backs deadline moves
Aug 3, 2011, 5:02 AM | Updated: 6:11 am
PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks were busy at the MLB trade deadline acquiring starter Jason Marquis from the Washington Nationals and reliever Brad Ziegler from the Oakland Athletics.
One ESPN insider believes the acquisition of Marquis helps improve the team’s rotation.
“I’ve seen him pitch a whole bunch of times this year in Washington and he’s thrown way better than he did last year,” said Tim Kurkjian on Sports 620 KTAR Tuesday afternoon.
The analyst considers Marquis a winner who will give the the Diamondbacks a better chance down the stretch as they battle the San Francisco Giants for the NL West.
“The guy’s won a lot of big league games and been on a lot of winning teams,” said Kurkjian.
With the addition of Marquis, it will allow Arizona to most likely move Micah Owings back to their bullpen which will strengthen their reliever core.
Arizona also added to their bullpen at the trade dealine with the addition of Ziegler who has been a consistent reliever over his career.
“Ziegler’s been a pretty darn good reliever for a long time,” said Kurkjian.
If you believe the ESPN analyst, the D-backs have improved their pitching in both the starting rotation and the bullpen which was the team’s biggest perceived need heading down the stretch.
