3 Diamondbacks Most Likely to Be Traded at Deadline

The 2021 MLB season is over a fourth of the way done already, which means it's time to start looking at teams that could be sellers at the trade deadline. The Arizona Diamondbacks fit the mold given they find themselves at the bottom of the NL West division with a record of 18-30.

Arizona has a roster mixed with young unproven players and veteran producers that could allow them to find some value in the trade market. With that being said, here are three of the most likely Diamondbacks to be traded by the deadline in July.

1. Asdrubal Cabrera, 3B/2B/SS

This is Asdrubal Cabrera's 15th MLB season, yet he continues to hit well at the plate. He has a current slash line of .289/.393/.474 through his first 34 games of the season. Cabrera has also racked up 18 runs scored as well as 18 RBIs. He is playing on a one-year deal, which means he could make a great addition to a contending team. He can play multiple infield positions and would be a reliable bench bat heading into the postseason.

2. Nick Ahmed, Shortstop

Another Diamondbacks player that makes sense in the trade market is shortstop Nick Ahmed. At 3, Ahmed may be nearing the end of his prime, but he remains one of the best defensive shortstops in the league. He has won two Gold Gloves in addition to a career on-base percentage of .291. Ahmed's performance at the plate this season won't wow you, but he's a veteran and elite defender. Ahmed is signed through the 2023 season. If his hitting can come around before July, there's teams that may consider taking up his contract.

3. Merrill Kelly, Starting Pitcher

Merrill Kelly is only in his third MLB season, but he is now 32 years old. He doesn't fit into the Diamondbacks quick rebuilding plan and could be traded to a team looking for depth in its starting rotation. He has a 2-5 record on the season, but seems to be turning things around. Kelly has pitched at least 5.0 innings and given up 3 earned runs or less in each of his last six starts. He'll be a name to watch at the deadline, especially considering his age and potential cheap price tag into his next seasons of arbitration.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.