Why ESPN says Diamondbacks should target 1 of top Angels starting arms

The Arizona Diamondbacks‘ starting rotation is ranked 18th in ERA (4.42), and ESPN is looking for a solution.

ESPN writer David Schoenfield recommends that the Diamondbacks trade for Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers in his “MLB 2026: Player every team should trade or trade for in July” article released on Thursday, July 2.

Detmers, the No. 10 overall 2020 MLB Draft selection, is a southpaw who, entering his Friday, July 3, start, had posted a 3.88 ERA on the season in 17 starts. Schoenfield lists the Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals and Athletics as teams that should pursue Detmers.

When Detmers was a prospect, he was firmly ranked in top 100 overall prospect rankings. He threw a no-hitter his rookie year (2022) and boasted a 3.77 ERA and allowed 0.9 home runs per nine innings.

In both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, he dipped back under one home run per nine innings (0.8 HR/9 in 2025 and 0.7 HR/9 in 2026). His ERA dipped back under 4 in each of those seasons, too.

“Here’s the kicker: Even though he first reached the majors in 2021, Detmers is still under team control through 2028 while making just $2.625 million,” Schoenfield said in the article.

This means that Detmers is not just a rental. The Diamondbacks could bring him back after 2026, and may need to if Diamondbacks starting arms Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly continue to struggle in what have been career-worst seasons for them through July 3.

“Yes, that means trading better prospects or a bigger package of talent, but it’s a good opportunity for these franchises to acquire a front-line pitcher without paying the big dollars required in free agency,” Schoenfield wrote about a trade for Detmers.

Detmers starts July 3 against the Boston Red Sox.

Detmers walked four and allowed five earned runs in six innings June 21 against the Athletics. His next and most recent start was a step in the right direction, however, with Detmers tossing 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball with just four hits allowed.

The Diamondbacks sit at 43-43 with ace Corbin Burnes not having thrown an inning yet due to injury. The team is tied for just 16th in starting pitcher WHIP (1.31), and could use starting pitching help if they choose to be buyers ahead of the trade deadline on Aug. 3.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why ESPN says Diamondbacks should target 1 of top Angels starting arms