MLB Trade Deadline: Could Jason Marquis Give Diamondbacks Extra Push?

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Just 10 minutes ago, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted that the Arizona Diamondbacks were in talks with the Washington Nationals regarding pitcher Jason Marquis. This year, Marquis has gone 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA and less-than-average 1.42 WHIP. He is in the final season of a two-year deal worth $15 million.

It is unclear who the Diamondbacks would give up for Marquis, but this could potentially be a good deal for the team as they are contending for both the NL Wild Card and the NL West. Their rotation currently has four effective arms in Ian Kennedy, Joe Saunders, Daniel Hudson, and Josh Collmenter, all of whom have ERAs under 4. That leaves the odd man out, Barry Enright.

This season, Enright has been a disaster. He has gone 1-4 with a 7.41 ERA and recently lost his starting job to Micah Owings. The latter is a fine replacement option, but the team needs a better option.

Marquis is a pitcher who induces a lot of ground balls, so the Diamondbacks acquiring him for the final playoff push would be ideal for manager Kirk Gibson's pitching staff. He isn't the best pitcher on the market by any means but considering Arizona's needs, this acquisition could give them that extra push to potentially clinch a playoff spot.

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