D'Backs Want To Pull Off A Blockbuster Deal For A Starter

With less than 13 hours until the non-waiver trade deadline is here, the Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves only 3.5 games back of the NL West lead. On Monday, D'Backs GM Kevin Towers told reporters (via Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic) his focus at the trade deadline would be to acquire pitching in exchange for a positional player.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Arizona is looking to make a deal that would accomplish just that, but they aren't working on just any type of deal. No, they are working on something big. Real big.

The Diamondbacks are trying to pull off a blockbuster for a premier starting pitcher, according to major-league sources. The identity of the pitcher is not known. Towers has the pieces to make such a deal happen - specifically, right fielder Justin Upton and a stable of top pitching prospects.

The 24-year-old Upton is owed $38.5 million from 2013 through 2015, but is regarded as one of the most talented players in baseball. By moving the star outfielder, the D'Backs could entice just about any team to make their top starter(s) available in a trade, especially if they are willing to part with one of their several top pitching prospects in Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, Archie Bradley.

If the D'Backs are making Upton and their top prospects available in a package deal, they are looking to acquire something off the board, though that is just my opinion. Would a potential deal involving Felix Hernandez or David Price make sense here?