LOS ANGELES -- D-backs general manager Dave Stewart met with the media prior to Saturday night's game against the Dodgers and he touched on a variety of topics:
• Stewart thought he was close to completing at least one trade over the weekend, but it did not pan out so, while he thinks he will get something done before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, he isn't going to make any predictions.
"I thought I was close," Stewart said. "I did. Then the tide changed. Situations change for different ballclubs. When you think you're right at the door of getting something done and you get a phone call and they say, we've got to rethink this because something else has happened. Do I think [we'll make a deal]? I think so, but there's also a possibility we may not."
• The D-backs are not likely to be players in the free-agent market when it comes to replacing closer Brad Ziegler.
"In sincerity and honesty, I don't see us going out and spending $10 million-$12 million for a closer," Stewart said. "We're going to have to find solutions to close a game right here. [Right-hander Jake] Barrett is a guy that he's going to have an opportunity to do that. He did it in college. He did it in the Minor Leagues. [Enrique] Burgos has done it in the Minor Leagues. We've got some candidates to close for us. It's just a matter of, like I said, getting them the experience and getting their feet wet."
• The D-backs have received a "ton" of interest in right-hander Shelby Miller, but it did not sound as if the club would deal him.
"We think he's capable of making adjustments and being able to pitch at this level successfully, because he's done it," Stewart said. "You have three good years where you've pitched well and you're capable of falling into a season like this season. We think he's going to bounce back. If I was to do a deal, I would have to have somebody, your key player, is a guy that's going to play here for us."
• The D-backs still believe in their core group of players so there is not likely to be any moves involving them.
"I would probably have a tendency to stay away from our younger core of guys, although you owe it to yourself to listen," Stewart said. "You listen on [veteran Michael] Bourn, you listen on [veteran] Rickie Weeks. Guys like that."