Diamondbacks interested in Wood, Coffey, Isringhausen
Jul 20, 2011, 4:45 PM | Updated: 5:58 pm
Now that the San Francisco Giants have traded for Jeff Keppinger, the pressure to respond is on the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Keppinger is not a big name player that will turn a division race upside down, but the Giants have a four-and-a-half game lead in the NL West and are showing their desire to improve.
If the Diamondbacks want to close the gap they will need to respond and acquire some players as well.
It is no secret that Arizona wants to strengthen their pitching staff and according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal they are interested in a few well-known relievers.
The Diamondbacks would love to obtain Cubs setup man Kerry Wood, according to major-league sources. But Wood, who has a no-trade clause, might not want to leave Chicago.
Three other right-handers – the Nationals’ Todd Coffey, Mets’ Jason Isringhausen and Blue Jays’ Jason Frasor – also are drawing interest from the D-Backs, sources say.
While Wood, who is 1-5 with a 3.56 ERA, may be reluctant to waive his no trade clause, a trade for Isringhausen may be a legitimate option.
The Mets will be interested in trading Isringhausen, who has appeared in 37 games this season and possesses a 2.93 ERA, among others to free up the money necessary to re-sign shortstop Jose Reyes.
Toronto’s Frasor is also intriguing as the right handed pitcher is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA. However, Frasor is a free agent at the end of the season and the D-backs may not be willing to “rent” a player for the remainder of the season.
Todd Coffey, another right handed pitcher whose contract expires at the end of the season, is currently 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA. Although he is having an ok year thus far, he has only have two season in his seven year career in which his ERA was below four.
If the D-backs decide to add a starter, they may look at Jason Marquis of the Washington Nationals.
Marquis is currently 8-4 with a 3.92 ERA, but has postseason experience as he has been in the playoffs five different times.
There is plenty of pitching help available, but the D-backs seem to be unwilling to part with many of their top prospects so it will be interesting to see how GM Kevin Towers plans to orchestrate his deals.
