The Diamondbacks could use a little more help in the bullpen and on the bench in 2012. The good thing about that are those are areas you can improve the team on the cheap. With that in mind, here are the three guys I would sign:

1. Conor Jackson - Righty swinging 1B/OF Conor Jackson could help the D-Backs if he were to return, and he wouldn’t be getting overpaid anymore.

2. Dan Wheeler - Righty reliever Dan Wheeler isn’t flashy, but he usually gets the job done.

3. Arthur Rhodes - The D-Backs were operating without much from the left side of the pen last year. I think Rhodes has at least one more decent year in him.

The Diamondbacks need to make some additions in the trade market if they are going to seriously challenge the Giants for the N.L. West down the stretch. They could really use a better hitting LF. Josh Willingham, Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Ludwick, Jeff Francoeur, Carlos Beltran and Hunter Pence all make sense. Heck, maybe even Justin Upton’s brother (B.J.) who is on the trading block. The Diamondbacks could also use an upgrade at 1B with Carlos Pena, Derrek Lee and James Loney making sense for them. With Stephen Drew out for the season, the D-Backs could use a decent SS to finish out the 2011 season. Clint Barmes and Jason Bartlett would cost the most prospect wise. If the D-Backs want to aim lower, Orlando Cabrera, Mike Aviles, Jack Wilson and Rafael Furcal are also available. The Diamondbacks also need relievers (both righties and lefties). Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, Jason Frasor, Koji Uehara, Grant Balfour, Brad Ziegler, Michael Wuertz, Kerry Wood, Rafael Betancourt, Matt Lindstrom, Mike Adams, Chad Qualls and Matt Guerrier are all available from the right side. Any of them would improve the D-Backs’ bullpen a lot. The D-Backs will be looking to deal for one lefty reliever with Will Ohman, Arthur Rhodes, Craig Breslow, Jerry Blevins, Tim Byrdak and John Grabow. The D-Backs need to make some bold moves to reinforce the roster for the last two months of the year.

The Arizona Diamondbacks should call up the Baltimore Orioles and discuss a big deal. I could see the D-Backs getting Derrek Lee for 1B and Luke Scott for LF along with some cash for Barry Enright, Armando Galarraga and rookie outfielder Wagner Mateo. This is a deal that would help both teams. The Orioles are having big time issues in the rotation and Enright and Galarraga could help them right away. Lee and Scott would add thump from both sides of the plate for the Diamondbacks. Lee also would improve the defense a lot at 1B, making the rest of the infielders very, very happy. Then they should call GM Kenny Williams of the White Sox and offer them righty reliever Juan Gutierrez for lefty reliever Will Ohman. The Diamondbacks could really use a solid veteran lefty out of the pen and Ohman would qaulify as one of them. Gutierrez has the kind of arm that the White Sox like to collect. If the D-Backs made these two deals, the Rockies and Giants would definately take notice and they would likely have to make some deals themselves to keep up with Arizona.

The Diamondbacks are probably going to be on the hunt for a lefty reliever as the trade deadline approaches. They should call A’s GM Billy Beane about Craig Breslow or Jeremy Blevins. Beane would probably be open to dealing one of those guys without the D-Backs having to give up the farm to get one. The D-Backs will probably also be looking at Sean Burnett (Nationals), Joe Beimel (Pirates) and John Grabow (Cubs). The Diamondbacks are looking good right now and I think they only need minor tinkering to compete for the A.L. West crown in 2011, but they do need another lefty reliever.

The Diamondbacks have six free agents heading into this winter but I don’t see many of them being tough decisions for the team to make. Here is how I see things breaking down with these six guys:

Adam LaRoche: 30-year old lefty swinging 1B Adam LaRoche played in 151 games for the Diamondbacks last season and he was 146 of 560 (.261 avg, .788 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 25 homers and 100 RBIs. The D-Backs have declined LaRoche’s mutual option for 2011 valued at $7.5 million bucks instead buying him out for $1.5 million bucks. VERDICT: The Diamondbacks will probably be looking in a different direction for a 1B in 2011.

Rodrigo Lopez: 34-year old righty starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez pitched in 33 games (all starts) last season for the D-Backs and he was 7-16 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He gave up a major league leading 37 homers in 200 innings pitched last season. VERDICT: The D-Backs would be better off going with one of their younger pitchers or signing another low cost veteran.

Brandon Webb: 31-year old starting pitcher Brandon Webb did not pitch at all in 2010. In fact, he has only started 1 game in the last two years for the D-Backs and he was 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. VERDICT: The D-Backs should close the door on Brandon Webb.

Mike Hampton: 38-year old lefty reliever Mike Hampton pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs last season and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. VERDICT: The D-Backs should bring back Hampton on a minor league deal and see if he can be a situational lefty out of the pen.

Aaron Heilman: 31-year old righty reliever Aaron Heilman pitched in 70 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs last season and he was 5-8 with 6 saves, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. VERDICT: Heilman has wanted to close for years and the D-Backs gave him a shot and he failed. They will let him walk.

Kris Benson: 35-year old righty starting pitcher Kris Benson started 3 games for the D-Backs last season and he was 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. VERDICT: The D-Backs will let him walk.