Arizona Diamondbacks fans lament failure to trade for starting pitcher at MLB deadline
The Arizona Diamondbacks earned some pretty solid marks all around in 2023 MLB trade deadline grades for their acquisitions before Tuesday's deadline.
But it's a move the team did not make that has some fans upset.
They took to social media in the aftermath of the trade deadline to lament the fact that the team didn't acquire a starting pitcher to help Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly at the top of the rotation down the stretch.
For some fans hungry for a return to the MLB playoffs, the inability to land a starter was inexcusable, even if the price to acquire one in a trade was high.
“We were willing to overpay, in our mind, for a starter; that wasn’t a concept that we felt like it had to be fair value,” Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said after the deadline Tuesday. “(But) it wasn’t just the (High-A) Hillsboro and (Low-A) Visalia rosters that we were talking about here. We were talking about guys that were on our team, around our team, going to be on our team, etc., in a lot of these deals, and that’s what made it somewhat challenging for us and probably for others.”
Those words offered little consolation to some Diamondbacks fans, who slammed the team for not adding to that position of need before the trade deadline.
MLB trade deadline grades: Arizona Diamondbacks impress with Tommy Pham, Paul Sewald deals
More: Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen adds around edges but opts against another deadline splash
VOTE: Will the #Dbacks regret not trading for a starting pitcher at the 2023 #MLBtradedeadline? (Some fans certainly think they will: https://t.co/1FKWyDaVpx) @azcentral #ArizonaBorn
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) August 2, 2023
Diamondbacks trade deadline reaction: Arizona needed to add starter
Instead of trading for 2 position players the #Dbacks should have added more than 1 pitcher. Another starter was much needed.
— Yotes staying in AZ (@CoyotesAvs12) August 2, 2023
If they were able to acquire a starter, it would have been a great deadline. Unfortunately the costs were too high with teams attempting to prey on the #Dbacks desperation. https://t.co/jgAsOUbf8o
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcDMLB) August 1, 2023
So no starter for the Dbacks then? Weird to make 2 pretty big moves but not the one they prob needed to make most??
— Chase Nelson (@Chelson_95) August 1, 2023
I simply cannot fathom the fact that the @Dbacks front office didn’t acquire one starting pitcher (arguably the biggest need).
Traded for a closer, right-handed outfield bat, utility man, and right-handed reliever, but not a starter. Unreal.#Dbacks #MLBTradeDeadline https://t.co/sxm3apowu3— David Haney (@David_Haney11) August 1, 2023
The #Dbacks have a closer, a middle-of-the-road reliever, added a solid bat and gave up VERY little besides Canzone.
Starter market was insane, shame they couldn’t land a decent one, but they certainly made moves to improve the team.— Alex D’Agostino (@AlexDagAZ) August 1, 2023
A mixed deadline for the Dbacks for me. Not going to blast them for not trading key prospects for a rental starter but the Jace Peterson and Andrew Chafin trades don't make any sense to me.
— CraigInPhoenix (@craiginphoenix) August 1, 2023
real shame not to find a starter somewhere #Dbacks
— nahtanoj truoc (@gollybass) August 1, 2023
If the #Dbacks were going to acquire the starter and closer(s) they require to go deep this season, they needed to do it a month ago. Worthless now. Sell now... try again in 2024/2025.
— Jimmy Nova (@JNovaAZ) July 31, 2023
The starter market is pretty much cooked, so the #Dbacks will likely not land anyone to help the rotation in the next 5 minutes.
Hoping for a miracle with Cecconi, more development from Pfaadt and Henry and we’ll see what we can do in the off-season.— Alex D’Agostino (@AlexDagAZ) August 1, 2023
Dbacks not getting another starter really hurts them imo
— Colton Phillips-Koch (@koch_colton) August 2, 2023
besides the horrible trade deadline what A bad loss. no adding a starter. dbacks fans deserve better. I am a fan for 25 years. You have a great chance this year and don't think next year is promised to us. when we are good we have to take advantage. dodgers will always be good
— PETER (@peterasciolla) August 2, 2023
We couldn't get a starter?????? And we still have carson....lol
— His&Her_Peeks (@his4her_peeks) August 2, 2023
the Dbacks actually showed a good balance between putting the team in a better spot to make the wild card this year without sacrificing any long term pieces for the future. I wish we could have gotten a starter, but it was a pretty solid deadline.
B+— Zach Cecil (@zachcecil7721) August 2, 2023
Pleased with the business the #dbacks did today, Pham might light a fire under a few, bullpen is better both now and moving forward. Didn't sell the farm for the wrong guy.
Wish we got a starter, but oh well.— nahtanoj truoc (@gollybass) August 2, 2023
They needed relief pitching, you did nothing. They needed a starter, you did nothing….
…same as it ever was.
Cheap owners should not own sports teams. There are plenty of other potential owners willing to do what it takes to build a winning franchise. Sell the team.— Steven Valinski (@AZSpyder) July 29, 2023
Do you think the Diamondbacks should have added a starting pitcher before the 2023 MLB trade deadline?
Paul Sewald trade reaction: Arizona Diamondbacks get 'legit' closer from Seattle Mariners
More: Diamondbacks MLB trade deadline rewind: Arizona acquires New York Mets' Tommy Pham
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks fans lament failure to trade for starting pitcher
