The Arizona Diamondbacks are interested in pitching and names like Jake Peavy, Yovani Gallardo and Jeff Samardzija have entered their rumor mills. However, Kevin Towers the team's general manager points out that their relief pitching is what truly needs help. As the rumors continue to spin, let's look at their needs by the numbers and what each pitcher they're associated with can offer the organization.
Overall, the Diamondbacks are 11th in baseball with a 3.83 ERA. Their pitching is tops in baseball with 847.1 innings hurled. However, when breaking up the pitching into relief and starting, there are some interesting discrepancies.
The D'Backs are tied with the San Francisco Giants for 21st in baseball with 27 wins from their starting pitching. Any other year, that comparison would have been a compliment, but in 2013, the Giants are struggling as their pitching staff has struggled incredibly. The starting pitching's 31 loses isn't horrible, ranking them the 11th lowest total in baseball. Their 4.09 ERA, however, has then 18th in the majors. Their starting pitching is also getting a lot of work in having pitched 565.1 innings through the first 90 games of the year.
When looking at their bullpen, struggles exist in the deeper parts of their pen. However, their relievers have the most wins out of any other bullpen in baseball, collecting 21 victories. Their 3.32 ERA is the 10th best in baseball, however, the D'Backs have the worst save conversation in the majors. So far in 2013, they have blown 19 games, the most in baseball.
If the Diamondbacks would have converted at least 10 of these games, they would have more breathing room in the N.L. West division as the Los Angeles Dodgers are now breathing down their necks.
If they add starting pitching, Peavy can't guaranteed them a lot of innings as he's coming off the disabled list with a broken rib. Gallardo, who's with the Milwaukee Brewers, is on pace to complete his third straight season with 200-plus innings pitched. He leads the National League with 20 starts, however, his record isn't too impressive after going 7-8 with a 4.83 ERA. Samardzija is probably the best option for the D'Backs. He's 5-9 with a 4.06 ERA, but he's a strikeout pitcher posting a 9.3 K/9 Ratio through 19 games this year. He is on pace to pitch the most innings of his career as Samardzija became a starter last season, throwing 174.2 innings.
As far as closers on the market, the D'Backs have been linked to John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and Michael Gonzalez. Axford lost his role as a closer after last year's struggles. He went 5-8 with a 4.67 ERA in 2012 despite saving 35 games. So far in 2013, he provides depth out of the bullpen, pitching 38.1 innings in 44 appearances going 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA. Rodriguez has record nine saves and is 1-1 with a 1.25 ERA. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. It seems as though Rodriguez would be the best option as he has proven he can still close at the major league level. Gonzalez is not a terrible option as he's gone 0-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 31.2 innings pitched.
Though the Diamondbacks' starting pitching is anchored by 23-year-old Patrick Corbin who has no playoff experience, their main concern should be relief pitching. J.J. Putz and Heath Bell have been very disappointing from the closer role, which is the true reason why the Diamondbacks aren't winning games. Had the Diamondbacks converted half of those save opportunities, they could have been been 10-plus games over .500.
Rodriguez, Axford and Gonzalez might not be the best options, but they would be an improvement over Putz who's posting a 2-1 record with a 3.63 ERA, five saves and five blown saves. Bell hasn't done much better posting a 2-1 record with a 4.72 ERA, 15 saves and five blown saves.
