It's time for D-Backs to start dumping

The Diamondbacks woke up Thursday morning with the second-worst record in baseball. Only the Washington Generals, er, Nationals had fewer wins.

"There's enough games left to make a run," manager A.J. Hinch said "... I'm not looking at cashing in the season or starting that method of thinking."

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That's because he's new at the job and doesn't know any better. The rest of us recognize a corpse when we see one.

The Diamondbacks are 14½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. They're in the wild-card race only if you believe they can jump 12 teams ahead of them in the standings.

And in case you're wondering, Hinch's record after 31 games is 13-18. Bob Melvin's record when he was fired: 12-17.

I guess that organizational advocacy hasn't kicked in yet.

Now that the season is over and the amateur draft has wrapped up, general manager Josh Byrnes needs to make a few calls and get a jump on the July 31 trade deadline.

There's no point in waiting. It's inconceivable - given their sloppy play, lack of timely hitting and woeful bullpen in the season's first 60 games - that the Diamondbacks will be able to reinvent themselves in the final 100.

Nor should Byrnes be worried about fan reaction if he starts dumping. Look at the product now; how much more can it be diluted?

Most significantly, Byrnes should be able to get more value in a trade now than in late July because teams will have the player's services for an additional seven weeks.

So who should go?

Well, second baseman Felipe Lopez and pitcher Doug Davis have to be at the top of the list. Both are in the final year of their contracts.

Lopez, after a blistering start, has faltered lately. His average has crept under .300 and, more alarming, the lack of focus that popped up every now and then the first few weeks has become a reoccurring problem.

That's nothing new with Lopez. He plays well and pays attention when there's something on the line - which is why he hit .385 in 43 games with St. Louis last year - and loses concentration when there isn't, hence his .234 average in 100 games with Washington last season.

With Lopez gone, the Diamondbacks can stick Ryan Roberts at second base and see if the 28-year-old can develop into an everyday player. Roberts has a grit and enthusiasm Arizona could use more of.

Davis is probably the Diamondbacks' most prized commodity. Despite his rough outing Wednesday, he's having a terrific year with a 3.42 ERA. The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are among the teams desperate for pitching, and Davis could fetch a couple of decent prospects.

Right-hander Jon Garland also should be on the block. Some teams will be scared away by his 5.61 ERA, but Garland has a 3.08 ERA away from Chase Field and his contract isn't a huge issue: Teams can buy out his 2010 option for $2.5million.

Clearly, Byrnes can't decimate his starting rotation by dumping Davis and Garland at the same time, particularly with Brandon Webb still weeks away from a return. But there's no point in hanging onto either player past the trading deadline; there's little chance of them returning in '10.

Look, the Diamondbacks can continue to kid themselves that this season can be saved, but we know better.

2009 is lost.

All that matters now is 2010.