The Arizona Diamondbacks are still in the thick of the National League Wild Card race -- but if that changes by the July 31 MLB trade deadline, or if they simply decide to wait until at least next year to make a playoff run, they could have a couple potential suitors for a former All-Star pitcher of theirs.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Monday that the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros are both interested in acquiring D-backs starting pitcher Robbie Ray. The lefty is 7-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 20 starts this season. He was an All-Star Game selection in 2017 when he posted a 2.89 season ERA.
Morosi said Ray could be among the most coveted left-handed pitchers on the market this season, even ahead of San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, because Ray won't become a free agent until after the 2020 season.
Entering Monday's games, the D-backs are 47-47 and 1 1/2 games behind the Phillies for the second and final Wild Card playoff spot in the National League. They had won four straight games before dropping the final two games of their three-game series at the St. Louis Cardinals.
The D-backs' next game is Tuesday at the Texas Rangers.
Morosi suggested one possible trade scenario could have Ray dealt to the Astros in exchange for outfielder Derek Fisher and two of the Astros' top prospects: pitchers Forrest Whitley and J.B. Bukauskas.
.@jonmorosi has a trade proposal for the #Astros, but is the prospect-heavy deal @RoFlo-approved? #MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/8GiwmbwGaY
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 15, 2019
