Lucas Giolito Draws Interest From Another NL West Team

Another NL West team has surfaced in the Lucas Giolito trade sweepstakes. According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, sources say that the Arizona Diamondbacks have inquired about Lucas Giolito. 

The Diamondbacks join the Los Angeles Dodgers as the second NL West team to call about Giolito’s services. The Dodgers are clinging to a two-game lead atop the NL West standings over the Diamondbacks.

Both teams are in need of a starter to bolster their rotation which could play right into the White Sox hands if they can start a bidding war between the two division rivals. 

Giolito is one of the hottest pitching commodities on the trading block. In 116 innings the 6’6 right-hander has posted a 3.96 ERA and 122 strikeouts. Giolito has also allowed four runs or fewer in all but two of his 20 starts. 

The Astros, Reds, Rangers, and Orioles have also been listed as potential fits for Giolito. 

The Dbacks recently placed right-hander Zach Davies on the 15-day IL due to lower back inflammation. He joins fellow starter Merrill Kelly on the injured list. This is part of a growing concern for a Diamondbacks team that exceeded a lot of people's expectations this season. Their pitching staff currently ranks 23rd in the MLB in ERA, and the starting rotation has been a huge issue. 

Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt have filled out the back end of their rotation and struggled. Nelson has a 4.98 ERA on the year while Pfaadt was sent down to Triple-A after posting a 9.82 ERA in the MLB. 

The front office would love to bulk up the rotation with a pitcher of Giolito’s caliber before the playoffs. 

Because Giolito is in the final year of his contract the return the White Sox can get will be limited. He is essentially a rental player for any team that adds him before he hit free agency.