Happy Wednesday! I’ll be filling in for Patrick over the next week as he enjoys a MUCH deserved vacation with his family.

In the meantime, I’m excited to talk about all things Arizona sports during this *checks the calendar* notoriously uneventful time of the year in sports! Although is that even true anymore? There’s PLENTY going on, from NBA Summer League to the MLB and WNBA All-Star games, and these days offseason does NOT equate to slow season.

On to the show!

D-backs At The Break: Where Things Stand This Year Versus Previous Years

The MLB All-Star break isn’t an exact halfway point in the season, but it’s as good of a checkpoint as any.

With the trade deadline just two weeks away, GMs around the league are taking stock of their rosters and records while determining whether to buy or sell. Earlier this week, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Eugenio Suárez, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Josh Naylor will be made available for trade by the Diamondbacks.

“I don’t want to sit here and hope that things are going to happen,” GM Mike Hazen told Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro. “I’m kind of done hoping.”

Whether the D-backs buy or sell has yet to be determined, and Hazen remained noncommittal about making deals ahead of the deadline. It’s been an injury-riddled, up-and-down season so far, leaving many fans frustrated and disappointed.

Is it time to hit the panic button or is there still hope? Let’s take a look at how this year’s D-backs squad stacks up against past rosters at the MLB All-Star break:

2023 D-backs

• Record: 52-39
• Rank: 2nd in the NL West, in a Wild Card spot
• Season result: Lost in World Series (1-4)

2024 D-backs

• Record: 49-48
• Rank: 2nd in the NL West, 1.5 games out of Wild Card race
• Season result: Missed playoffs

2025 D-backs

• Record: 47-50
• Rank: 4th in the NL West, 5.5 games out of Wild Card race
• Season result: TBD

The 2025 D-backs aren’t TOO far off from last season’s record at the break, but the situation in the standings definitely puts the Snakes at a disadvantage. A strong second half could propel this team into the postseason, but that might prove to be incredibly difficult if Hazen decides to move on from some key members of the roster.

The D-backs play four series between the All-Star break and trade deadline: at home against the Cardinals (51-46) and Astros (56-40), and on the road against the Pirates (39-58) and Tigers (59-38). What happens next is in their hands… And Hazen’s.

Damon’s take: “This is a season where maybe it’s just time to give up. You find yourself a few games out of the Wild Card here, enough where I think you start to raise questions whether or not buying is really the best option for this team.”

Take a deeper dive: Damon and Kevin discussed Hazen’s comments and debated how the D-backs should proceed on the latest episode of PHNX D-backs.

Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The National League won the MLB All-Star Game in a Home Run Swing-Off 4-3 after the game itself ended tied 6-6. Corbin Carroll became the first ever Diamondback to hit a home run in an All-Star Game, Ketel Marte had two RBI and Eugenio Suárez made a few key defensive plays en route to the NL’s victory.

And the Nominees Are: Cam Skattebo (football) and Kenzie Brown (softball) are ASU’s nominees for Big 12 Athlete of the Year. Skattebo was named Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Football Championship and Offensive MVP of the Peach Bowl, and earned 2024 First Team All-Big 12 honors all while setting ASU records. Brown was an NFCA First team All-American who also received D1 Softball and Softball America Second Team All-America recognition. She earned unanimous All-Big 12 First Team honors while finishing fourth in the NCAA with 289 strikeouts.

Each school in the Big 12 has two nominees for this award and the winners will be announced on Thursday, July 24!

And the Nominees Are: Arizona’s nominees for Big 12 Athlete of the Year are Colton Smith (tennis) and Devyn Netz (softball). Smith was named the 2025 Big 12 Tennis Player of the Year, ranked as the No. 5 individual nationally in the ITA rankings and was named Arizona Athletics’ Sapphire Award winner as the most outstanding male athlete for the 2024-25 academic year. Netz was selected as the 2025 Big 12 Softball Player of the Year, earned First Team All-Big 12 and Defensive Team Honors, and was named a First Team NFCA All-West selection and Softball America All-American.

AT on Top: Congratulations to Alyssa Thomas who was named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week! The Mercury star averaged 17.7 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game and 10 assists per game last week. Phoenix went 3-1 in that span.

The Mercury take on the Minnesota Lynx today (10 am, Arizona’s Family Sports) in the team’s final game before the All-Star break.

Tip Of The Hat By Branded Bills

Now wait just one second…