Arizona Diamondbacks Reportedly Show Interest In Porcello

The GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kevin Towers, has reportedly been in contact with David Dombrowski about Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello according to MLB Trade Rumors. While there isn’t much of a surprise that a team would be interested in the 23 year old right hander, it is a bit surprising to hear the Diamondbacks amongst the suitors.

Oct 24, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello (48) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of game one of the 2012 World Series against the San Francisco Giants at AT

Arizona it would seem is pretty set with young pitching that is under team control. As of now, Arizona has Ian Kennedy, Brandon McCarthy, Trevor Cahill, Wade Miley, and Patrick Corbin in the rotation. Josh Collmenter and highly rated prospect Tyler Skaggs is in the mix as well. Given the type of young depth we can see here, it’s tough to see the interest in Porcello on the part of Towers and the Diamondbacks.

As for Detroit’s end, I am not sure that the Diamondbacks are a huge match. The Diamondbacks are loaded with outfielders after adding Cody Ross to the mix this 0ff-season, but maybe this is a call to open a Justin Upton discussion? Even though the Tigers don’t have particular need for an outfielder at this point. Upton’s career to this point has been a mixture of great promise and a bit of disappointment.

Speculation, I am sure is going to run rampant on Upton going to the Tigers now. Recently, the inconsistent, but talented, Upton rejected a deal between the Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners. That deal was centered around several top prospects from Seattle and a couple of late inning relievers, including ex-Tigers pitcher Charlie Furbush.

I already suggested the Tigers don’t have the prospect package to compete with the one the Mariners put together. The asking price could come down a bit with Arizona having tried to deal Upton already, but I don’t believe that to be Kevin Towers’ modus operandi. Though he did deal away Jarrod Parker plus for Trevor Cahill.

Anyway, I doubt that much comes of the situation. Probably just one GM checking in on another, which happens all the time. Rick Porcello is a young, relatively cheap starting rotation option. His appeal being one that another team might be able to get more out of his potential than what the Tigers have gotten thus far.

We will of course keep you updated here at MCB if anything should come of this.