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How the Diamondbacks answered the inevitable trade-deadline questions
How the Diamondbacks answered the inevitable trade-deadline questions
- How the Diamondbacks answered the inevitable trade-deadline questions
The Arizona Diamondbacks remain in the playoff hunt after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-3, Saturday, July 18.
However, as Arizona claws its way back into the wild-card race, questions arise about its trade deadline strategy and whether the Diamondbacks will be buyers or sellers at the deadline.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementArizona is 1 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot for the 2026 postseason, and is 4-1 in its past five games, including a recent road sweep of the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sweeping the Dodgers is no easy feat, in fact, that is the only time the Dodgers have been swept all year.
That’s enough to get people talking about what Arizona is going to do at the trade deadline — and shifting the conversation from selling to potentially buying.
But with the shift of tone comes difficult questions.
What would the Diamondbacks have to give up to bring the players they want to Phoenix?
Diamondbacks return from All-Star break, host St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throws a pitch in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field in Phoenix, on July 17, 2026. (Matt Kartozian/Imagn Images)Diamondbacks return from All-Star break, host St. Louis Cardinals
Diamondbacks return from All-Star break, host St. Louis Cardinals
Diamondbacks return from All-Star break, host St. Louis Cardinals
Diamondbacks return from All-Star break, host St. Louis Cardinals
Diamondbacks return from All-Star break, host St. Louis Cardinals
Diamondbacks return from All-Star break, host St. Louis Cardinals
It's a question veteran closer Paul Sewald doesn’t even want to broach.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“You know what, with all due respect, I would rather talk about anything else,” Sewald said. “It’s enough stress to keep you up at night. I would prefer not to even talk about it.”
A cautious tone taken by the 10-year pro, who has been traded twice in-season during his career: once in 2023, from Seattle to Arizona, and then again in 2025 when he went from Detroit to Cleveland.
That was a similar tone fellow relief pitchers Juan Morillo and Jonathan Loaisiga took as well.
“You know with it being about things up in the air, I’d rather not speak on it,” Morillo said. “I can tell you, despite whatever could happen, these players are focused on winning.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLoaisiga echoed that sentiment.
“To be honest that’s not something even being talked about,” Loaisiga said. “I’m not really paying much attention to all that trade talk. My mind is on coming in, doing the job, trying to help the team win as much as we can.
“I think that’s something the front office has to handle, that whole conversation.”
Loaisiga has done his job; he has delivered a 2.17 ERA out of the pen and has been one of Arizona’s more reliable arms.
If anyone can relate to the pressures of trade deadline performance, it’s Loaisiga, who spent eight of his nine years in the majors pitching for the New York Yankees and being involved in many trade-deadline discussions throughout his time there.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut it’s in between the wincing glances when the trade deadline is brought up that the nature of the subject reveals itself to be more delicate than fans, players and maybe even front office personnel can imagine.
The fact is the Diamondbacks are in the playoff hunt, and getting traded is a huge logistical undertaking for a player to deal with, so one must wonder if everybody would like to stay, at least for now?
Arizona shortstop Geraldo Perdomo had encouraging words for all his teammates, while playing with a looming trade deadline.
“Do the little things,” Perdomo said. “Play good baseball, let’s go out there to just win games, that’s all that matters right now.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Diamondbacks finish their three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, July 19. They will host the Athletics for another three-game series starting Monday, July 20.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How the Diamondbacks answered the inevitable trade-deadline questions
Story byAZCentral | The Arizona Republic