D-backs add depth with Pham, Strzelecki deals

SAN FRANCISCO -- The D-backs completed a pair of trades, including one just minutes before the 3 p.m. MST Trade Deadline on Tuesday.

Arizona sent left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin to the Brewers in exchange for right-handed reliever Peter Strzelecki, who was then optioned to Triple-A Reno. Then the D-backs shipped Minor League infielder Jeremy Rodriguez to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Tommy Pham.

The moves didn’t play a factor Tuesday night as the D-backs dropped a heartbreaker to the Giants, falling 4-3 after leading 3-0 midway through the sixth inning.

TRADE DETAILS

Arizona-Milwaukee
D-backs receive: RHP Peter Strzelecki
Brewers receive: LHP Andrew Chafin

Arizona-New York
D-backs receive: OF Tommy Pham
Mets receive: INF Jeremy Rodriguez

The deals came one day after the D-backs acquired closer Paul Sewald from the Mariners and utility infielder Jace Peterson from the A’s.

“We felt like we addressed some areas that we sought to address coming in, I think most notably the back end of the bullpen,” D-backs general manager Mike Hazen said. “It was a challenging Deadline, for sure, I think given the dynamic with the sellers and the buyers. It was an interesting one, which is good. I think it’s good for the game. There were a lot more buyers, it seemed, than sellers.”

Here's what you need to know about Tuesday’s moves and non-moves:

Yes, they did try to fortify the rotation
With Zach Davies and Tommy Henry currently on the injured list, the D-backs did look to add a starting pitcher, but that was easier said than done.

“I think the one area we didn’t really address -- and had wanted to go somewhat into -- was the starting pitching market,” Hazen said. “That market was really tough. There weren’t a lot of starters out there available. Some of the starters that were out there got held, some got traded. We didn’t end up acquiring one. We were willing to overpay, in our mind, for a starter. As it goes, those things go to a certain point, especially with a rental, that you feel like, 'How far are you willing to push it?' We were pushed past areas where what we would have felt like was fair value for a rental. The question became 'How far would you take that?' and we obviously said no at certain points.”

More might have been done if their record was better
Hazen made no bones about the fact that he wanted to do what he could to help fortify the roster because of the effort he saw the players putting in. But while he was aggressive, he might have done even more if the D-backs had not gone 8-16 in July to fall from first place to third in the National League West.

“I think I would have been even more aggressive had we maintained where we were a month ago, in all honesty,” Hazen said. “I look at this as we’re trying to find ways to improve our baseball team any way we can. Going into the Deadline with that mindset, try not to let the outside forces dictate how we’re feeling about what we should do to do that when you’re making the decision to buy and help your team. I think if you’re in a certain position relative to winning a division, a commanding lead in a division, that is such an important dynamic, maybe you can justify being even more aggressive at certain times. But it’s hard to say.”

The D-backs dealt from depth when they traded Chafin
In addition to Chafin, the D-backs had lefties Kyle Nelson and Joe Mantiply in the organization, as well as Tyler Gilbert, who has thrown well the past couple of weeks. Teams that knew the D-backs had depth in that area asked often about the southpaws.

In the end, the D-backs felt like Strzelecki gave them more control -- he’s not eligible to be a free agent until 2029 -- and added some right-handed relief depth. Chafin had a club option for 2024 at $7.25 million with a $725,000 buyout.

For now, the D-backs recalled Mantiply from Triple-A Reno and optioned Strzelecki.

“We felt like we needed to lengthen our depth in right-handed relief,” Hazen said. "This was sort of the opportunity we had to acquire a Major League reliever that was a different profile, had a different [pitch] mix. We haven’t had a ton of success to date with some of our younger relievers coming up and we wanted to shore up, even if it’s the front side of our bullpen, and our depth with that move.”

Pham helps balance the outfield
It’s no secret that the D-backs have a lot of left-handed-hitting outfielders, and Pham helps balance that out.

“He has a proven track record of hitting,” Hazen said. “What we had heard in New York is how motivated and disciplined he was in the clubhouse in making himself a really good baseball player. I think that’s something that will fit into our clubhouse.”