Arizona Diamondback Rumors: D-Backs Will Look To Add Front Line Starter As Well As Extend The Contracts Of Paul Goldschmidt And A.J. Pollock

The Arizona Diamondbacks are already looking ahead to next season.

The D-Backs are essentially out of the playoff mix as they are currently 14 1/2 games out of first place in the NL West as well as 15 games in back of the Chicago Cubs for the fifth and final wild card spot with a 69-76 record. Arizona is technically not officially eliminated from the playoffs as ESPN gives them a 0.1 percent of winning the wild card.

Arizona general manager Dave Stewart recently spoke with MLB Network Radio‘s Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette about the team’s plans, which include adding a top tier starting pitcher this offseason.

Stewart tells us that they have to go out and try to get a front-line starter this offseason

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) September 13, 2015

While Arizona’s starters haven’t been horrible, the D-Backs clearly need an ace at the top of the rotation if they plan on getting back to playoffs in 2016 — the team has not reached the playoffs since last winning the NL West division in 2011.

Their starting pitching staff currently ranks No. 18 in the majors in wins, compiling a 46-50 record. The D-Backs starters’ other rankings in the majors include: No. 24 in ERA (4.48), No. 29 in innings pitched (794.2), No. 18 in hits allowed (827), No. 15 runs allowed (415), No. 6 in home runs (113), No. 20 in walks (246), No. 23 in strikeouts (619), tied-No. 16 in batters hit (30) and No. 25 in batting average against (.270). Arizona has also thrown just one complete game and one shutout.

The Diamondbacks have started 12 different pitchers throughout the season. Twenty-six-year-old right-hander Rubby De La Rosa has been the team’s most effective starter though he has surrendered a bunch of home runs (31). De La Rosa is 12-8 on the season with a 4.75 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 29 starts. He records 7.18 strikeouts a game and has a 2.67 strikeout/walk ratio. Opponents are hitting.269 off of him this year.

Although De La Rosa is having a solid year, and currently the D-Backs No. 1 starter, he is not a top of the rotation pitcher for a playoff contending team. In his four-year career, De La Rosa has made 57 starts (73 total appearances) and has a 20-23 record to go along with 4.54 ERA.

Jeremy Hellickson, Chase Anderson, Robbie Ray, Patrick Corbin, Josh Collmentor, Archie Bradley, Zack Godley, Allen Webster, Jhoulys Chacin, Randall Delgado, and Daniel Hudson have all made starts for the D-Backs this year. Hellickson, who is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, is the team’s No. 2 starter. Bradley, the team’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, will likely challenge for a spot in the team’s rotation next season as could 23-year old right-hander Aaron Blair and 23-year old Braden Shipley. Chacin is the only starter slated to be a free agent this offseason.

Some of the top-tier pitchers that Arizona could possibly pursue this offseason include Mark Buerhle and David Price of the Toronto Blue Jays; Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister of the Washington Nationals; Los Angeles Dodgers’ Zack Greinke; Cincinnati Reds’ Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake; as well as Texas Rangers’ Yovani Gallardo.

Stewart told Bowden and Duquette that he thinks it’s unlikely that Paul Goldschmidt or his team will approach him about an extension this offseason. However, Stewart plans on talking to his camp to get a “lay of the land” and figure out what kind of deal they’re seeking.

Goldschmidt is one of the top offensive threats in the game, today. The 28-year old first baseman is currently hitting.316 and has 28 home runs, 33 doubles, 100 runs batted in as well as 21 stolen bases. He ranks in the top-15 of the league in average (eighth), hits (13th), doubles (16th), home runs (19th), runs batted in (seventh) and steals (18th).

Stewart added that the D-Backs would like to extend outfieder A.J. Pollock and keep closer Brad Ziegler, who has a team option for $5.5 million next year.

According to MLB Rumors.com, Stewart has already huddled up with Tony La Russa and other top team execs to prepare for negotations with Pollack. The 27-year old will have three years of major league service at the end of the season, making him eligible for arbitration for the first time and putting him on pace to become a free agent after 2018.

Pollack is having a career year, hitting.312 to go along with 17 home runs, 67 runs batted in and 35 stolen bases.

Ziegler has a 2.37 ERA, 1.82 K/BB rate and 4.6 K/9 over 60 2/3 innings, plus 25 saves since taking over the closer’s job. Overall the 35-year old has appeared in 61 games, compiling an 0-3 record as well as 26 saves and a 2.03 ERA. He also has only blown two save opportunities.If the Diamondbacks doesn’t pick-up the option he will receive a $1 million buyout.

(photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)