Giolito Deal Hurts D-backs Ability to Add Starting Pitching

The Angels paid a high prospect cost in order to land the former White Sox starter.

Last night the Los Angeles Angels swung a pretty big trade with the Chicago White Sox to get Lucas Giolito, an impending free agent. The prospect cost was catcher Edgar Quero, their No. 2 prospect on MLB Pipeline, and left-hander Ky Bush, their No. 3 prospect. After announcing earlier in the day that they intended to hold onto two-way star Shohei Ohtani and make a playoff run, despite being four games back in the American League Wild Card Race, and were looking to make that splash trade.

With the big cost for the Angels paid for Giolito, the next logical question would be if the Diamondbacks are willing to pay that price to get that kind of help. Last week, Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro had reported during his radio show that the White Sox were asking for Brandon Pfaadt and more for Giolito. The D-backs were unwilling to meet that price and decided to wait out the market. 

Could the #DBacks make a trade for White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito? 👀

What would it cost them? 🤔@Gambo987 has you covered as we approach the #MLB trade deadline ⬇️https://t.co/7bEn5SzucR pic.twitter.com/8UNRO4HZVC

— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) July 21, 2023

Looking at the starting pitcher market, Arizona still has options to potentially explore. Cardinals left-hander Jordan Montgomery and Tigers right-hander Michael Lorenzen figure to be their top options for rental starters. Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman could join the market, but Chicago would need to go on a losing streak as they are only 4.5 games back with only two teams ahead of them. The Padres were in a similar position, but could make left-hander Blake Snell available after a crushing series loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yesterday, D-backs general manager Mike Hazen spoke with the media and clarified the team will look to be buyers at the deadline. How much longer Hazen is willing to be patient could be determined by how well the next series goes. Arizona is 3-9 after the All-Star break and 5-14 in July. The bullpen has completely imploded over the past four weeks and their offense has been affected by their best hitters falling into slumps. As a result of their recent skid, Arizona sits half a game out of a playoff spot at the time of this writing.

Jack Sommers

With the potential exorbitant cost it will take to improve the rotation for a rental arm, it wouldn't be too surprising if the team ultimately doesn't make a deal for the rotation. If that is the case, then there are other areas where the team can address such as either adding another late inning arm to help shore up the bullpen or a right-handed bench bat that lengthens their lineup against left-handed starters.