Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen discussed his team’s trade deadline priorities on MLB Network Radio today. The GM confirmed previous reports that he would like to add at least one left-handed bat, explaining: “I probably need a little more thump in the lineup, probably a little more power, probably need to get a little more left-handed.” Entering play today, the D-backs ranked among the league’s bottom three teams in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage against right-handed pitching, while their 85 wRC+ was the worst in MLB. However, the lineup isn’t the only area in which this team could use some help.
Hazen also touched on Arizona’s pitching needs: “I’m sure we’re going to need bullpen, everybody needs bullpen.” The Diamondbacks have managed to avoid working their bullpen too hard over their first 64 games. While their starters rank fifth in the majors with 357 1/3 innings pitched, their relievers rank second-to-last with just 209 1/3 innings on the books. D-backs relievers have combined for a 4.13 ERA and 3.84 SIERA, both around the middle of the pack. Yet, a struggling Brandon Pfaadt and Andrew Hoffman – the two of whom are now at Triple-A Reno – skewed those numbers. Paul Sewald, Juan Morillo, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, Jonathan Loáisiga, Taylor Clarke, and Brandyn Garcia have thrown 75% of Arizona’s bullpen innings with a collective 2.51 ERA and 3.41 SIERA. Only Sewald, the eldest and most experienced of the group, has an ERA higher than 3.00, and there’s no denying he’s been successful in the closer role this season. The 36-year-old is 15-for-16 in save opportunities, with a 3.47 ERA and 3.58 SIERA.
Nonetheless, Hazen has good reason to want to add to his arm barn. All of the Diamondbacks’ best bullpen arms have their question marks, and none is the type to strike true fear into opposing lineups late in games. The only ones who haven’t struggled with injury and inconsistency are those whose major league careers are just beginning. And while Arizona’s relievers have not been overworked to this point, depth is still going to matter as the season goes on. A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez could help eventually, but the D-backs won’t want to rely too heavily on a pair of arms that have been out for over a year. All of this to say, the Diamondbacks’ bullpen isn’t in a terrible spot, but it has room to improve. If Hazen views his team as a serious contender, he’d be smart to pursue another back-end arm to pitch in high-leverage spots, as well as some depth to fill innings over the next four months.
Indeed, filling innings could soon become much more important. Diamondbacks starters are averaging just under 5 2/3 innings per game. It might be unrealistic to expect them to keep up that pace, especially since Hazen is hoping he won’t need to bring in any outside reinforcements for the rotation. As the GM put it: “Do we need a starting pitcher? At this point, I’m hoping Brandon Pfaadt gets going down in Triple-A to the point where that may not be a spot where we have to expend resources.”
The Diamondbacks can’t count on Corbin Burnes to come to the rescue anymore. The 2021 NL Cy Young winner will most likely be sidelined until September after suffering a teres major strain. As for the healthy arms, Michael Soroka is enjoying an excellent season, but he hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2019. He threw 89 2/3 innings in the majors last year, and he’s on pace to pass that number in the next couple of weeks. Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen, and Ryne Nelson should be fine to provide innings, but it’s fair to worry about the quality of those innings. Rodriguez has a 2.52 ERA but a 4.57 SIERA. Kelly, Gallen, and Nelson have combined for a 5.17 ERA and 4.83 SIERA. Given their track records of durability, the D-backs can ride all of those arms, but it doesn’t mean they should. The same goes for Pfaadt, who is stretching out as a starter again at Triple-A. With a rotation like that, the benefits of a deeper bullpen are plain to see.
