Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is one of the names being considered by the Phillies in their search for outfield help, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes. Gurriel’s right-handed bat could help Philadelphia’s desire for lineup balance, though since Gurriel’s only big league outfield experience has come as a left fielder, Brandon Marsh would have to move over to right field in the event of a trade.
This wouldn’t be an optimal defensive outcome given Marsh’s weak throwing arm, but the more obvious issue for the Phillies (or for a Diamondbacks) in a possible Gurriel trade is the veteran’s lack of offensive production. Gurriel entered today’s action hitting only .216/.265/.299 with two home runs over 181 plate appearances, with a 55 wRC+ that ranks as the seventh-lowest of any player in baseball with at least 180 PA.
Gurriel tore his right ACL in early September 2025, but was able to make his 2026 season debut on April 18. A hamstring strain then sent him back to the injured list for a little over a three-week span in May and June. While his struggles this season could be explained by these injuries, it is worth noting that Gurriel also hit only .248/.295/.418 over 546 PA in 2025, translating to a subpar 95 wRC+.
There’s also the matter of Gurriel’s salary, as he is still owed about $5.5MM of his $13MM salary for the 2026 season. Another $5MM is attached to Gurriel’s services in the form of the buyout of his $14MM club option for 2027, which currently looks like an easy pass for the D’Backs or potentially another team that might have interest in acquiring Gurriel before the August 3 trade deadline.
Even if Gurriel’s bat absolutely catches fire in the next few weeks, Arizona would surely have to eat a big chunk of that remaining money to accommodate a swap. In all likelihood, Gurriel isn’t going to generate much trade interest and will probably stay put, though the D’Backs will surely be open to offers even if the team ends up as buyers at the deadline.
The Diamondbacks took a 48-47 record into today’s game with the Dodgers, and the Snakes are three games back of the final NL wild card slot. The Dodgers have put the NL West all but officially out of reach, so a wild card berth represents Arizona’s only path to the playoffs. This could limit how aggressive the D’Backs are with their deadline additions, even though the organization clearly wants to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023. However, if the Diamondbacks struggle out of the break, they could shift gears and start looking to trade at least some impending free agents.
One player who (unsurprisingly) doesn’t appear to be available is Ketel Marte. The second baseman obtained 10-and-5 rights back in April and, as Nightengale writes, the D’Backs are telling any interested clubs that Marte isn’t planning to waive his no-trade protection to accommodate any move. The Rays have checked in on Marte, according to Nightengale, as Tampa Bay has continued its offseason interest in the infielder’s services.
Marte figured in plenty of trade rumors last winter, with this seeming availability coming on the heels of some reported discord within the Arizona clubhouse last summer. GM Mike Hazen at least let other teams float some offers for Marte until January 9, when Hazen put an official end to any further trade talks involving the three-time All-Star.
Marte’s 110 wRC+ and .259/.314/.466 slash line (in 401 PA entering today) are below his usual standard, as the second baseman is still trying to dig himself out from a season-opening seven-week slump. Since mid-May, however, Marte has been hitting very well, and helping the Diamondbacks stay afloat in the playoff race.
Arizona’s chances of a second-half surge will increase if some of their injured pitchers can return in good form, and Corbin Burnes is something of an x-factor in this sense. The ace underwent Tommy John surgery last June, and his expected return by late July or early August was thrown into question when Burnes suffered a teres major strain in early June 2026.
Manager Torey Lovullo provided a positive update on Burnes’ status on Friday, telling the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro and other reporters that the right-hander had started a throwing progression. No timeline was given by Lovullo because Burnes was so early in the build-up process, but assuming a normal throwing progression and what would have to be multiple minor league rehab starts, Burnes could be on track to be activated from the 60-day IL in early September.
