The Braves said they had to be blown away to trade Miller, and the Diamondbacks succeeded in that regard. That was confirmed Tuesday night, when Arizona acquired right-hander Shelby Miller and minor league reliever Gabe Speier from the Braves for a jaw-dropping package that includes outfielder Ender Inciarte, pitching prospect Aaron Blair, and the top overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft, shortstop Dansby Swanson.
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The Diamondbacks, conversely, have taken immediate aim on the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in the NL West. After four consecutive non-winning seasons, the Diamondbacks wrested Greinke from the Dodgers with their offer of $206.5 million over six years. While Miller is not the ace Greinke is, he’s still managed to put up ERA+ of 122 and 124 in two of the last three seasons, and his disappointing 2014 was still an average season on the mound. That improves the rotation by forcing incumbents Chase Anderson and Rubby De La Rosa, righty Zack Godley, and top prospect Archie Bradley to battle over the fifth spot, which should ultimately be the 23-year-old Bradley’s provided he can build on his strong finish to an injury-riddled 2015 season. Right now, Swanson and Blair are undeniable talents that most teams wouldn’t dream of giving up, but they could ultimately flame out and never reach their forecasted values. The D-Backs were a sub-.500 team because they didn’t have almost enough pitching. Miller is coming off an odd season, where he went 6-17 with a 3.02 ERA, 3.20 FIP, a 4.07 xFIP, while striking out 7.50 batters per nine, walking a little over three batters per nine, while inducing ground balls at a near 48% rate. Chicago additionally finalized a $32 million, two-year contract with 37-year-old right-hander John Lackey, who slots in as the Cubs’ 3rd starter behind Jake Arrieta & Jon Lester. Pollock and David Peralta, along with Yasmany Tomas, in the D-backs outfield.
He also vigorously defended Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who was accused of choking his girlfriend and shooting a gun during an incident in October.
After being drafted in June, Swanson was sent to the Diamondbacks Low-A affiliate where he hit. “We’re counting on his mentorship with our other pitchers and being a part of helping their growth”, Stewart stated. “I think that’s the number one thing that’s missing, I think, in the game is speed. That’s just how it is”.
Blair quickly advanced through the minor leagues in three years and could make his major league debut next season.
“I heard it from my son”, he said. Before that, there was Shawn Abner, who the New York Mets drafted No. 1 overall in 1984 and traded to the Padres in 1986. “And who’s to say what you would have done or what caused the problem?” Joe Torre, MLB’s chief baseball officer, said Tuesday that there is no timetable in making a decision on Chapman’s status under the league’s new domestic violence policy. I mean, I got a buddy at home that’s being abused by his wife.
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While the cost was very high in salary for Greinke and in players for Miller, the Diamondbacks do appear to have filled their greatest need without going too deep into their offense, which outscored all but the Colorado Rockies in the National League. He did not allow a run in 49 of 57 appearances.
