Arizona Diamondbacks acquire A.J. Puk from the Marlins, begin trade deadline activity with a pitching upgrade

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to acquire Miami Marlins left-handed reliever A.J. Puk, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. According to sources, the Marlins will acquire Arizona's No. 14 prospect, Deyvison De Los Santos, and No. 30 prospect, Andrew Pintar, in the transaction.

Puk will join Joe Mantiply as the only left-handed pitchers in the D-backs bullpen. He is signed to a one-year, $1.8 million contract and has two more years under team control before he becomes a free agent in 2027.

With the Marlins this season, Puk has appeared in 32 games, pitching 44.0 innings with a 4.30 ERA and 45 strikeouts. Last year, he went 7-5, posting a 3.97 ERA.

Interestingly, A.J. Puk began the year in the starting rotation in spring training but took a beating, giving up a 9.22 ERA. Moreover, he suffered left shoulder fatigue and once he returned, he was pitching out of the bullpen.

After acquiring A.J. Puk, Diamondbacks have eyes for power-hitting bat

The Diamondbacks had three departments in mind to address the team ahead of the trade deadline: a left-arm reliever, a potential starting pitcher and a power hitter.

One of them has reportedly been filled in the form of lefty A.J. Puk, and now the D-backs may now look to add a power hitter.

Among the rentals whose contracts will expire by the end of the season are Detroit Tigers' Mark Canha (24 extra-base hits and seven home runs) and Chicago White Sox's Tommy Pham (18 extra-base hits and five home runs).

If the D-backs are on the lookout for long-term control, then they can look to acquire the Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena (UFA after 2026), the Oakland Athletics' Brent Rooker (UFA after 2027), the Washington Nationals' Lane Thomas (UFA after 2025), and the Baltimore Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle (UFA after 2026).

However, the Diamondbacks seem more likely to go for a rental, as those available on long-term control will likely cost them more during arbitration. It remains to be seen how last year's NL pennant holder tunes up.