The Wants
I wrote a piece last month about how Zach Greinke would be the ideal candidate to enhance the starting rotation, but after further investigation, I’m not so sure. While his numbers were still very good (15-11, 3.21 ERA, 199 Ks), his velocity continued to dip.
It was the highest in 2007 (94 mph), but has been a gradual decline since, with his average fastball speed last season being 89.6 mph.
The contract isn’t favorable either. Greinke is still owed 104.5 million over the next three years, which is also something to take into consideration. The Diamondbacks would need to eat some of that salary if they wanted to trade Greinke.
The more intriguing name is Robbie Ray, who is a year removed from a 15-5 season, where he struck out 218 batters in 163.1 innings, with a 2.89 ERA.
Ray missed nearly two months last year with a right pectoral injury, but when he was healthy, he struck out 12 batters per nine innings, with a 3.93 ERA and 1.350 WHIP.
The 2017 all-star version of Robbie Ray would fit nicely alongside Mike Foltynewicz, but how much of a risk is it?
The left-hander is headed towards his second time in arbitration and MLB Trade Rumors projects his salary to be $6.1 million.
It seems like Arizona would be selling low on Ray if they moved him now. A trade package for him wouldn’t be a ton, I would think. The more logical move for Arizona would be to wait until July to see if Ray regains his all-star form.