The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to find ways to upgrade their MLB roster. This time they looked toward the Milwaukee Brewers to help them out.
On Saturday afternoon the two MLB clubs agreed to a trade that sent shortstop Jean Segura and prospect starter Tyler Wagner to Arizona in exchange for infielder Aaron Hill, starter Chase Anderson, shortstop prospect Isan Diaz and cash.
ESPN's Keith Law was the first to report the deal. The D-Backs and Brewers announced the trade shortly after the news broke.
RHP Chase Anderson, INF Aaron Hill, SS Isan Diaz & cash have been acquired from Arizona in exchange for SS Jean Segura & RHP Tyler Wagner.
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) January 30, 2016
OFFICIAL: #Dbacks acquire INF Jean Segura & RHP Tyler Wagner from Brewers for Aaron Hill, Chase Anderson, Isan Diaz & cash considerations.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) January 30, 2016
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported that the Diamondbacks will save $6.5 million of Hill's $12 million salary for the 2016 season (although the team has not confirmed that).
"I think we all had a little bit of discomfort in where we were offensively and had been seeking to add a little bit more offense if we could," general manager Dave Stewart told Piecoro.
"Jean Segura has been a pretty good offensive player in the past. He's been an All-Star and is a very good defender. And he's a guy we can hit in the top of the order if we choose to. With an opportunity to make a move like that, we felt that we would do it."
The Diamondbacks were looking to upgrade the offensive presence in their middle infield, which explained their previous interest in second baseman Howie Kendrick before the veteran re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, their pursuit of Kendrick slowed because Stewart said he was not keen on surrendering another draft pick this offseason.
Instead, the D-Backs will keep their draft pick and get three years of club control over Segura, who will hit free agent after the 2018 season. Segura, 25, was an All-Star in 2013 with the Brewers, but has had two less-than-stellar campaigns in 2014 and 2015.
Arizona will also receive Wagner. The right-hander, who is also 25 years old, made his MLB debut in 2015 after just 25 career starts at Double-A. He went 11-5 with a 2.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 120 strikeouts in 152-1/3 innings last season before his promotion to the Brewers. He made three starts with Milwaukee, but finished just 0-2 with a 7.24 ERA and 2.12 WHIP.
On the other hand, the Brewers added a veteran infielder in Hill, a quality MLB starter in Anderson and a top prospect in Diaz.
Hill, 33, is just three seasons removed from one of his career-best campaigns. However, injuries and declining play have hampered the veteran since 2013 and he's shifted into a more utility/backup role for the D-Backs.
Anderson, 28, has spent two full MLB seasons as a starter. He's 15-13 with a 4.18 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 216 strikeouts in 48 starts (267 innings). He'll likely foster competition among the Brewers rotation, which ranked 28th in starters' ERA last year.
Diaz, 19, was ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the D-Backs' organization before the trade. He was drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft and owns a .291/.377/.515 stat line with 80 runs scored, 16 home runs, 72 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 117 minor league games.
The deal seems to benefit both clubs as this overall group of players helps each team address needs now and in the future.
