Diamondbacks looking for corner outfielder

Arizona is looking for more offense in the corner outfield positions after losing out on free agent Carlos Beltran.

Dec 7, 2013, 11:30 PM UTC

If you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks secretly made an aggressive push for free agent Carlos Beltran, and they still want a corner outfielder, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Nightengale reports that one player they have their sights on is Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels.

The Diamondbacks' current outfield arrangement is high on defense but low on offense. Gerardo Parra, A.J. Pollock and Cody Ross, who combined to play in 387 games in Arizona's outfield in 2013, each posted OPS+ marks between 99 and 104 while accruing monster ratings for their work with the glove; Ross, however, missed the final two months of the season after suffering a dislocated hip. Former first-round pick Adam Eaton, rated in the top 100 prospects in baseball prior to 2013 by both Baseball America and MLB.com, is also in the mix; the 24-year-old managed only a 674 OPS in 277 plate appearances in 2013, though. Tony Campana is also a current outfield option for Arizona.

More from AZ Snakepit: Setting the D'Backs 2014 outfield

Trumbo has been the subject of trade rumors this winter, but the Angels have not yet been impressed with any offer for him. Los Angeles would most likely be looking for pitching in any potential deal, though, and Arizona has it to spare in the form of both veterans and top prospects. The question remains whether there is a pitcher who the D’Backs are willing to part with for a player of Trumbo’s good-but-not-great abilities which the Angels would accept as the centerpiece of a deal.

In addition to Beltran and Trumbo, the Diamondbacks have also been connected to Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The team reportedly offered a package of young players in return for the Cuban slugger, but their proposal was rejected and it is unlikely that talks will continue.