D-backs GM: Can’t see circumstance where Corbin or Ray are dealt

Many people believe the best thing the Arizona Diamondbacks can do, with their 2016 season postseason hopes all but dashed, is start focusing on the future.

That may mean playing young players, which they will do. It could also mean trading away some more established players, which they already have.

Last week, Arizona shipped veteran reliever Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox for a pair of prospects, and as the D-backs continue to languish near the bottom of the NL West standings, it would not be a surprise if more deals were on the way.

According to some reports, one of the players teams have checked in on is starting pitcher Patrick Corbin. However, it appears unlikely the team is willing to part with the 2014 All-Star.

“We’ve had calls on Patrick; we’ve had calls on Robbie Ray,” D-backs GM Dave Stewart told Off the Edge with B-Train on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday. “I mean, it makes sense that teams would be calling and asking about both those guys. They’re young, they’re controllable pitchers, they both have great upside at the major league level.

“But as much sense as it makes for other teams to ask for them, it makes just as much sense for us to keep them. And so I at this point can see no circumstance that I would move either one of those guys in any trades, considering that we as an organization plan to compete and even though this year doesn’t look promising, we still have a plan to play the game and compete next year and to win next year, and both those guys are a big part of that.”

Corbin and Ray, both of whom are left-handed, are each having disappointing seasons.

In his first full season following Tommy John surgery, Corbin is 4-7 with a 4.94 ERA. He has struck out 75 batters in 105.2 innings, but has not resembled the pitcher he was in 2013 or even the one who was solid in 16 starts last season.

Ray, on the other hand, has shown flashes of dominance, but is 4-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 18 starts. He has struck out 115 batters in 97.1 innings, but has also walked 40 and opponents are batting .284 against him.

While Stewart says he has no plans to trade either hurler, even if he wanted to, now would not be the best time to do it. Of the five players who began the season in the starting rotation, Corbin and Ray are the only two who are currently in the rotation.

Ace Zack Greinke is on the DL with an oblique injury, Rubby De La Rosa has been dealing with elbow problems since late May, and Shelby Miller was just sent to Triple-A Reno due to ineffectiveness.

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