The Diamondbacks are wilting like flowers in this unforgiving summer sun, falling further and further behind the Dodgers in the National League West and putting their postseason dreams in peril.
Arizona has lost five in a row and is clinging to the final wild card spot for dear life, and if this caliber of play continues, all of that pre-All-Star Break excitement will end in disappointment.
There is one move they can make that would both guarantee sizzle and increase their MLB playoff and World Series odds — and it’s something the D-Backs should absolutely refrain from doing.
Sources: Orioles, DBacks among teams inquiring with the Angels about Shohei Ohtani’s trade availability.
Both clubs’ interest has been described as due diligence; both teams have the young talent base conducive to making a trade.@MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2023
If Shohei Ohtani is traded before the August 1 deadline, it will send shockwaves across Major League Baseball. Not only will his new team have a bonafide ace to strengthen the rotation, but also arguably the most feared hitter in baseball.
Ohtani’s value is on another level, and it’s enticing for the Diamondbacks to enter the fray.
They have an embarrassment of riches in the farm system and are a team well-equipped to put together a trade package that would tantalize the Angels.
But they need to think long-term here.
The addition of Ohtani would unquestionably make the D-Backs a dangerous team down the stretch and in the postseason if they make it there.
However, they would still be a slot below the juggernaut Braves and Dodgers in the National League, making a World Series appearance far from a sure thing.
And if Arizona brings in Ohtani and then makes it to the National League Championship Series, well, that would be exciting, but it would not be worth it.
He is a free agent at the end of the season, and the asking price on a new contract is going to be astronomical.
Realistically, Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick will not have the gumption to compete with the Dodgers and the Yankees of the world for one of the biggest free-agent prizes in recent memory.
Are the Angels going to deal Shohei Ohtani? If so, where does he end up?
Check out the superstar's next team odds: https://t.co/O90FNHVQg8
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) July 21, 2023
So a deal could cost three or four solid prospects, which would leave the team much worse off in 2024 and beyond.
Look, if this was the tail-end of their competitive window, it would make sense to push in the chips for a last hurrah. The Suns tried to win with the same core for a couple years but it didn’t happen, which is why the addition of Kevin Durant made a lot of sense.
But this is just the beginning for the Diamondbacks, who have Corbin Carroll locked up for years, with shortstop Jordan Lawlar on the way shortly and center fielder Druw Jones coming up in the future.
Every top prospect doesn’t work out, but if Arizona does hit on each of them, they will have three very talented players on cost-controlled contracts for years.
Lawlar has been bandied about as a possible headliner for Ohtani, which is a complete non-starter to me.
The #Dbacks have developed three consecutive All Star shortstops: Swanson, Chisholm and Perdomo. Dealing their future All Star SS Lawlar for a two month rental of Ohtani to MAYBE win the division ain’t it.
— PHX Fans (@PHXFansAZ) July 21, 2023
If the asking price is lower and say, Brandon Pfaadt is the main piece, then maybe the Diamondbacks consider it.
But this is Shohei Ohtani. The Angels are not just going to deal him for spare parts. There will be a bidding war for his services if he becomes available, and teams with the cash to re-sign him could be particularly intrigued.
The Diamondbacks are a good team at present and have the roster makeup to be a great one in the next few years.
A trade for Ohtani would electrify the Valley for months, but it would soon be short-circuited.
The Diamondbacks should shore up their bullpen and add a starter to the rotation, but they shouldn’t chase the big fish.
Arizona fans have waited for a long time to see a return to competitive baseball. Shortening the window of contention for a World Series longshot in 2023 is simply not the way to go.
