The Arizona Diamondbacks had one of the best starting
rotations in baseball last season, but that doesn’t mean
there isn’t room for improvement.

In fact, that’s exactly what GM Kevin Towers appears to be
trying to do.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale,
the D-backs are pushing hard to complete a trade with the
Oakland A’s for Gio Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, 26, is a lefty who went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA
with the A’s last season. He’s improved in each of his
four Major League seasons, even becoming an All-Star for
the first time last summer.

Exactly what Arizona would have to part with to land the
pitcher remains to be seen. The Diamondbacks have one of
the game’s best farm systems, and it was thought pitchers
like Jarrod Parker and Tyler Skaggs could earn a rotation
spot this season. However, as Arizona Sports 620’s John
Gambadoro says, Oakland may need someone like Skaggs to
part with Gonzalez.

While dealing top prospects is always a risk, the chance
to add a more proven pitcher — a lefty, no less — could
be too much for the D-backs to pass up, regardless of the
price.

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