The Arizona Diamondbacks are at a crossroads as the MLB trade deadline approaches, with the possibility of becoming significant sellers. With playoff hopes dwindling, one prominent player that could attract attention is starting pitcher Zac Gallen, who played a pivotal role in leading the team to the 2023 World Series.
In a revealing conversation with ESPN, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen shared a past trade attempt that greatly impacted the team’s roster today. Back in 2018, the Diamondbacks made a play to acquire Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles, which would have included a substantial trade involving Jazz Chisholm, who was then the Diamondbacks’ third-ranked prospect. Hazen noted that had they completed the Machado deal, it would have precluded the Diamondbacks from acquiring Gallen in 2019.
At that time, Gallen brought with him five years of control, whereas Machado was considered a rental, which significantly raised the stakes of that potential trade. The ramifications of that decision played out in the 2018 postseason, where the Dodgers, benefited by Machado’s addition, surged ahead of the Diamondbacks in the standings. The Diamondbacks ended that season at 82-80, while Machado’s postseason performance was underwhelming, registering a .672 OPS despite hitting 13 homers in 66 games with the Dodgers.
While the Diamondbacks missed the postseason in 2019 following their acquisition of Gallen, his consistent performance as a top pitcher—ranking in the top ten of the Cy Young voting three times—has solidified his value to the team. Now, as Gallen approaches unrestricted free agency, the Diamondbacks face a critical decision regarding his future in Arizona.
With Gallen’s contract situation and the team’s current struggles, it will be interesting to see if the Diamondbacks might opt to trade him at the deadline. Such a move could close the loop on a significant decision made years ago, prioritizing long-term roster strategy over short-term gains.
As the Diamondbacks look to the future, they have a chance to make strategic moves that can redefine their path in the coming seasons, all while navigating the complexities of player trades and contracts in a competitive league.