D-Back’s Deadline Pickups
Photo via MLB.com
The 2023 MLB trade deadline has passed, and it proved to be another period of intensity, fear, and excitement for fans like it is most years. Front offices had to make decisions to either sell or spend at the smallest or largest of capabilities all before mid-afternoon on August 1st. With many division races getting tight as the season begins to wind down, some teams took more calculated approaches.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently 4.5 GB in the NL West and sit third behind the second-place San Francisco Giants and first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. The D-Backs certainly played a role in the trade buzz on August 1st and the days leading up to the deadline. On both the day of the deadline and the day before, the D-Backs made four trades that impact the outfield, infield, and bullpen.
New Arizona Diamondbacks Closing Pitcher Paul Sewald. Photo by Alika Jenner (Getty Images)
On Monday, the Diamondbacks started making moves when they made a four-player trade with the Seattle Mariners. Arizona sent two prospects, including outfielder Dominic Canzone, along with their second baseman Josh Rojas to Seattle in exchange for all-star closing pitcher Paul Sewald. Rojas is batting a .228 average in 59 games this year, and Sewald this year holds a record of 3-1 and 2.93 ERA through 43 innings in 2023.
With an opening on the roster and a spot to fill in the infield, the Diamondbacks made another day-before-deadline move. This time Arizona struck a deal with the Oakland Athletics to acquire third baseman Jace Peterson in exchange for minor league pitcher Chad Patrick. Peterson will now be Arizona’s second veteran third baseman alongside Evan Longoria, but more importantly, the Diamondbacks now have both a left-handed hitting third baseman and a right-handed one.
New Arizona Diamondbacks Third Baseman Jace Peterson. Photo via Sports Illustrated
On the day of the actual deadline, the Diamondbacks did not shoot for the moon as big sellers hoping to become big winners. However, they did make a couple of more moves that could help them in the close race for the NL West crown.
The Diamondbacks made a trade with the selling New York Mets to acquire veteran outfielder Tommy Pham in exchange for minor league infielder Jeremy Rodriguez. Pham is heading to the NL West for the second time in his ten-year career having played for San Diego from 2020 to 2021. This go-around he is joining a young, but extremely talented outfield that holds Jake McCarthy, Alek Thomas, and NL Rookie of the Year favorite Corbin Carroll. Pham’s veteran presence, along with his .268 average, will look to carry the D-Backs to better postseason odds.
TRADE 🚨
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 1, 2023
The Diamondbacks are acquiring Tommy Pham from the Mets, per @martinonyc pic.twitter.com/7EVV74udgw
To finish off the excitement from the 2023 MLB trade deadline, the Diamondbacks made one last move to make a change in their bullpen. Arizona sent their mustache-rocking pitcher Andrew Chafin, also known as “Big Country,” to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for right-handed reliever Peter Strzelecki. The swap for the D-Backs improves their pitching against left-handed hitters which is a big factor in a division with lefties Freddie Freeman, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Juan Soto. Strzelecki is putting up a .258 average against lefty hitters which is better than Chafin’s average of .314.
New Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Peter Strzelecki. Photo by Michael McLoone (USA TODAY Sports)
Overall, the Diamondbacks did not sell too much, and they did not spend more than they could afford. The adjustments they did make on their roster showed they are willing to fill the holes needed to win this year, right now. The veteran players they added on defense and in the pen could prove to be effective against teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants who also depend on veteran leadership.
