The D-Backs took off the training wheels for Scherzer this season by putting him in the starting rotation and he has been outstanding so far. Scherzer has started 19 games this season for the D-Backs and he is 6-6 with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He has whiffed 111 batters in only 107 1/3 innings this season showing what kind of stuff he has. The D-Backs could rebound next season with just good health and Scherzer will be one of the big reasons for the improvement.

26-year old lefty swinging catcher Miguel Montero appears to be a late bloomer as he has taken full advantage of a injury to Chris Snyder. Montero has played in 73 games this season for the D-Backs and he is 67 for 231 (.290 avg, .831 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 9 homers and 31 RBIs. The Diamondbacks have been waiting for Montero to step up and there is no reason to not keep playing him full time. Chris Snyder appears to be the odd man out possibly losing his job because of a injury. Snyder has played in 49 games so far this season and he is 30 for 134 (.224 avg, .735 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 5 homers and 21 RBIs.

The Diamondbacks have traded 29-year old switch hitting 2B Felipe Lopez to the Brewers for 25-year old outfielder Cole Gillespie and 22-year old righty reliever Roque Mercedes. Lopez played in 85 games for the D-Backs this season and he was 104 for 345 (.301 avg, .776 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 6 homers, 25 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. The Diamondbacks don’t have a replacement ready to replace Lopez so this move will definately hurt them the rest of this season. Righty swinging Cole Gillespie was the Brewers’ #9 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He has played in 87 games this season in A+AAA ball in which he was 72 for 279 (.258 avg, .800 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 8 homers, 36 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Mercedes has pitched in 29 games (0 starts) in A-ball this season in which he is 1-1 with 6 saves, a 1.08 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. He has only allowed 26 hits while whiffing 45 batters in only 41 2/3 innings this season which shows how nasty his stuff is. This was a pretty good return for Lopez.

The D-Backs have released 37-year old switch hitting 1B Tony Clark. Clark played in 36 games this season for the Diamondbacks and he was 12 for 66 (.182 avg, .719 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 4 homers and 11 RBIs. In five seasons with the D-Backs Clark played in 396 games in which he was 212 for 831 (.255 avg) with 105 runs scored, 59 homers and 178 RBIs. Don’t be surprised if Clark gets snapped up by a team like the Red Sox.

The Diamondbacks really want to shed some payroll and get younger after a very disappointing first half of the season. The Diamondbacks would love to move Tony Clark and Chad Tracy but not many teams need a 1B. The Cubs or Phillies would definately be interested in catcher Chris Snyder if he gets healthy quick enough. Trading Snyder could net the D-Backs a prospect or two in return. SS/2B Felipe Lopez is having a solid season for the D-Backs and the Twins, Red Sox and Mariners all have a need at shortstop. Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson would probably be what the D-Backs would be after from the BoSox. The Twins would probably want to package some prospects while the Mariners might be the ideal place to send Lopez as they have the biggest need there. The D-Backs could probably get two of the following from the Mariners for Lopez: Wladimir Balentien, Rob Johnson, Chris Jakubauskas or Shawn Kelley. But the pitchers is where the D-Backs would find the greatest value in trade. Doug Davis and Jon Garland could interest the Angels, Rangers, Brewers or possibly even the Yankees. The D-Backs would likely sell to the highest bidder in this circumstance. Reliever Jon Rauch would likely interest teams like the Braves, Yankees and Rockies and he would likely bring back a couple of prospects. Chad Qualls would also likely attract interest from those same teams along with the Rays. The Rays need a closer and the D-Backs would be interested to here what they would have to say. It looks like the D-Backs will have a new look come August 1st.