The Arizona Diamondbacks have had a tough, injury-riddled season that has them in position to sell at the trade deadline on July 31.
It looked like Arizona was primed for another winning season with a potential playoff berth after signing ace Corbin Burnes in free agency, but Burnes underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in mid-June.
At 50-50, the Diamondbacks are eight games back from the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West and four-and-a-half games back from the third NL Wild Card spot.
Although they are still in the mix, it’s likely that Arizona unloads some expiring contracts and they have a lot of talented players who are eligible.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, there’s no better player available at the trade deadline than two-time All-Star slugger Eugenio Suárez.
He ranked No. 1 on their top 50 trade deadline candidates list with just 10 days remaining before the deadline.
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“Suárez is in a contract year and playing like one of the best players in baseball. Only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge have more home runs than his 35,” wrote McDaniel and Passan. “Despite turning 34 years old before the trade deadline, Suárez is sitting near career highs in isolated power and wRC+ (which measures overall offensive performance). His fielding metrics have declined in recent years, but he’s still an acceptable defender at third base.
“Even if the Diamondbacks don’t offload all their free agents-to-be, Suárez could be moved because they’ve got Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third.”
A Suárez trade has a 90 percent chance of happening, per ESPN.
Moving Suárez makes a lot of sense for Arizona. Because he is on an expiring contract, it’s expected that the asking price won’t be too high.
However, Suárez has belted 35 home runs and driven in 85 RBI while slashing .257/.328/.601 in 98 games this season.
With teams like the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants all interested in the veteran’s services, the Diamondbacks could get a haul for Suárez.
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