Arizona Diamondbacks Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction

The Arizona Diamondbacks have surprised some people by hanging around this season, and now that the trade deadline is approaching, they have to decide what to do moving forward.

Arizona has a legitimate star in first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. With him leading the way, the Diamondbacks have been one of the best offenses in baseball this year.

Although the offense has been strong, the pitching staff hasn't been pulling its weight. The bullpen is in the middle of the pack, but the starting rotation is among the worst in the majors. Arizona now has to decide whether it should go after a starting pitcher to make a run at the postseason this year or become sellers.

Keep coming back throughout July to see what rumors the Diamondbacks are involved in and what deals they make before the trade deadline passes.

All stats are via MLB.com.

Done Deals

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27: Traded RHP J.C. Ramirez to Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash or future considerations

Diamondbacks' Talks for Aroldis Chapman Reportedly 'Dead'

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Update: Friday, July 31 at 2:57 p.m. ET

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, talks between the Reds and Diamondbacks are dead.

Update: Friday, July 31 at 1:20 p.m. ET

The Diamondbacks' proposal include right-hander Braden Shipley (listed as No. 4 prospect by MLB.com) and one or two more top-10 prospects, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports.

Update: Friday, July 31 at 11 a.m. ET

The Diamondbacks are now considered "long shots" for Chapman, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Other teams have reportedly made stronger offers than Arizona. 

--End of Update--

The Diamondbacks have talked to the Reds about Chapman, according to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, Cincinnati is asking for "three higher-level prospects" in exchange for the hard-throwing southpaw.

Chapman made his fourth consecutive All-Star team this year. Through his first 42 outings, he has posted a 1.73 ERA and a 1.248 WHIP. While his 16 strikeouts per nine innings is the second-best rate of his career, his walks per nine (5.0) is also the second-highest of his six-year career.

The 27-year-old reliever is making more than $8 million this season and will likely make eight figures next season through the arbitration process. 

Potential Trade Target: LHP Cole Hamels

Matt Marton/Associated Press

The Diamondbacks have interest in Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

The southpaw is once again having another great season. He has posted a 3.02 ERA with a 1.129 WHIP through his first 17 starts of the season. Since the start of the 2008 season, his earned run average has been above 3.60 just once (4.32 in 2009) and above 3.09 just twice (also had 3.60 ERA in 2013).

There aren't many pitchers, right-handed or left-handed, in baseball better than Hamels. As for left-handers, the Phillies ace is certainly a top-five pitcher.

Philadelphia would likely be able to get more for Hamels than Cincinnati would be able to get for Cueto because its ace is under contract beyond this season. The 31-year-old is signed through 2018 at $23.5 million per season and has an option for 2019.

Hamels can block a trade to 20 clubs, but the three-time All-Star recently told Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that he will be "open-minded" about a trade to any team. 

Trade Candidate: RHP Brad Ziegler

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Thursday, July 23 at 7:45 p.m. ET

Teams are calling Arizona about veteran right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler, but the Diamondbacks are telling them that they'd have to be "overwhelmed" to move him, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

The 35-year-old has been outstanding for the D-Backs this year, pitching to a 1.08 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 41.2 innings of work while converting 15-of-17 save opportunities as the team's closer. That he's signed through 2016 (his $5.5 million team option will be picked up by whatever club he's on) only adds to his value.

The only team known for certain to have expressed interest at this point is the Minnesota Twins (per 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson), but you can be sure that pretty much every contender has at least checked in to see what it would take to pry Ziegler loose.

Trade Candidate: INF Aaron Hill

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Arizona has made Aaron Hill available, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. Per Heyman, the veteran infielder has drawn some interest. Fox Sports' Jon Morosi reported that Hill is among the Diamondbacks infielders who the Washington Nationals are interested in.

Hill is hitting just .211 with four home runs and seven doubles in 69 games this season. Unless he turns it around, his average is set to drop for the third consecutive season. Not only that, but his power numbers have all but disappeared. It was just three seasons ago when he had 26 home runs, 44 doubles and six triples.

It was after his big 2012 season that Hill signed a three-year, $35 million extension. The 33-year-old is making $12 million this season and is owed another $12 million next season.

Between his offensive numbers and big contract, the Diamondbacks are going to have to get creative in order to move Hill.

Trade Candidate: RHP Addison Reed

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Addison Reed was acquired two offseasons ago to be the Diamondbacks' closer of the future, but his struggles could mean that his days in the desert are coming to an end.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that the Diamondbacks have made Reed available and that there is interest in the former closer.

This season, Reed has posted a 5.92 ERA and a 1.726 WHIP in 24.1 innings. His strikeouts per nine innings (7.4) and walks per nine innings (4.1) are both the worst of his career—and it's not even close. He has, however, kept the ball in the ballpark better than he did last year, as he has allowed just two home runs this season.

Those numbers may not suggest that he would draw a lot of interest, but his splits tell the story. Reed has allowed 14 runs on 23 hits in 12.1 innings at home this season; on the road, he has allowed just two runs on eight hits in 12 innings. He's a classic case of a pitcher who just needs a change of scenery.

Reed, 26, was eligible for arbitration for the first time this past offseason and is under club control for two more years.

Trade Candidate: RHP Jeremy Hellickson

Matt York/Associated Press

The Diamondbacks acquired Jeremy Hellickson this past offseason with the hope that he would get his career back on track and help the rotation. That hasn't happened, so the team will now see what kind of value he has on the market.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that Arizona has made Hellickson available and that he is drawing some interest.

Hellickson has a 5.04 ERA and a 1.373 WHIP in 17 starts this season. While those numbers are among the worst of his career, his strikeouts per nine (7.6), walks per nine (2.6) and home runs per nine (1.2) are all equal or better than his career averages.

The 28-year-old will be eligible for arbitration for the third time this offseason.