D-backs trade report tracker: Robbie Ray rumors heating up

The Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t do much to climb out of the “seller” conversation when they lost three out of four games to the Marlins from Friday to Monday.

Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, the rumors around Diamondbacks trade candidates heated up on Monday night following the team’s 11-6 loss to the Fish, although it should be noted that MLB Networks’ Jon Morosi reported on Saturday that the D-backs were “focused intently on selling conversations.”

Robbie Ray seems to have been chief among the names on the D-backs that have been tossed around in trade rumors and reports, with teams like the Phillies, Astros and Yankees seeming to show interest.

With the trade deadine coming up on Wednesday afternoon, here’s a look at what the reports are saying about Ray and other Diamondbacks:

10:54 a.m., Wednesday — Yankees, D-backs no longer talking about Ray

Talks between the D-backs and Yankees about Ray were “dead”, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

10.18 a.m., Wednesday — Astros eye Zack Wheeler over Ray

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tweeted Wednesday that the Astros were “most comfortable with Zack Wheeler’s acquisition cost, among the possible rotation trade options.” Houston was reportedly interested in Ray, too, but Morosi wrote that “Houston’s farm system has thinned, constraining the team’s ability to land [Madison] Bumgarner or Ray without giving up Kyle Tucker.”

8:59 a.m., Wednesday — Yankees, Astros inquire on Ray

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported that the New York Yankees — who were playing the Diamondbacks on Wednesday — and the Houston Astros were still asking the D-backs about Ray.

7:04 a.m., Wednesday — Nationals could be in on Andrew Chafin

The Washington Nationals are reportedly looking for bullpen help, and Diamondbacks lefty Andrew Chafin could be among the targets on their radar, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported. Detroit’s Shane Greene is on that list, also, Nightengale said.

9:19 a.m., Tuesday — Thanks a lot, Blue Jays

SNY’s Andy Martino reported that it will be harder for the Diamondbacks to trade Ray after the Mets traded for Blue Jays hurler Marcus Stroman this week.

“Rivals say Stroman trade specifically made it noticeably more difficult for Arizona to get price it wants for Robbie Ray,” Martino tweeted. “Which was [obviously] more than the relative pittance Jays got for Stroman.”

7:15 a.m., Tuesday — Zack Greinke likely staying put

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale joined Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Tuesday and was asked whether he thinks Zack Greinke will stay put in Arizona beyond Wednesday’s deadline.

“I do,” he said. “I’ve talked to several teams, and I’ve asked them, ‘Have you heard Greinke’s name anywhere?’ And the answer is always, ‘No.’ I just think that contract is so exorbitant, and Greinke is an acquired taste. He’s out there pitching every five days, but it’s not like he’s out there doing promotions or marketing or anything like that. So I get the feeling more and more that he may remain a Diamondback the rest of his career. Just, there’s a lack of appetite more maybe a fear about Zack Greinke.”

5:36 a.m., Tuesday — Clint Frazier for Ray?

Longtime baseball reporter and writer, Peter Gammons, currently of The Athletic, tweeted Tuesday morning that he “keep[s] hearing Clint Frazier to Arizona for Ray or [Archie] Bradley,” adding that both players could go to New York for multiple players in return. Gammons also added that the Yankees’ top prospect, Deivi Garcia, a right-handed pitcher, would not be in play.

Frazier, 24, was the Indians’ fifth overall pick in 2013 and made his way to the Yankees via a trade for pitcher Andrew Miller in 2016. Currently in his third big league season, Frazier has still played just 107 games in MLB, batting .262 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs in that span.

This year, the right-handed hitting outfielder has slashed .283/.330/.513 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in 53 games.

He can play corner outfield, but has appeared in center field only one time in MLB.

In Bradley, if he were to be moved, the Yankees would be getting a once-elite relief pitcher who has struggled this season in Arizona. Bradley, 26, has recently started pitching in high-leverage situations again and has made nine consecutive scoreless appearances across 11 innings of work.

6:33 p.m., Monday — Teams expect Ray to get dealt

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Monday night that “teams who have talked to the D-backs fully expect starter Robbie Ray to be dealt by Wednesday,” adding that reliever Andrew Chafin and outfielder Jarrod Dyson could also be moved.

Chafin, who owns a 4.21 ERA and 1.266 WHIP this season, could present as an intriguing left-handed relief option out of the bullpen for a team in need, and the 29-year-old is under team control through next season.

Dyson, meanwhile, is on the second year of a two-year, $7.5 million contract that will make him a free agent after this year. The 34-year-old veteran outfielder is hitting .251 with a league-leading 24 stolen bases this year, offering a trading team a speed threat on the bases and in the outfield.

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