Diamondbacks add an infielder, acquire Jean Segura from Brewers
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been pursuing an infielder to add to their already potent lineup in recent weeks. On Saturday, they finally got their man, acquiring veteran shortstop Jean Segura from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Diamondbacks will also receive reliever Tyler Wagner in the deal. The Brewers will receive veteran second baseball Aaron Hill, starting pitcher Chase Anderson and infield prospect Isan Diaz.
ESPN’s Keith Law was the first to report a deal was completed. The Brewers confirmed his report a short time later.
[2016 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball is open for business. Sign up now]
The Diamondbacks were rumored to be in pursuit of free agent second baseman Howie Kendrick right up until he elected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. We noted how that was an important move for the Dodgers for their own needs, but also to keep Kendrick from joining Arizona’s lineup. The D-Backs obviously weren’t putting all their eggs in that basket though, as the quick completion of Saturday’s deal indicates.
In Segura, they get a younger, far less expensive player who offers more versatility in the field. He’s a shortstop by trade, and that’s likely where he’ll slot in with Arizona. Chris Owings, who spent most of his time at second base last season, now has a permanent home there. Aaron Hill was moved in the deal to open up that position. That was also their plan had they been able to sign Kendrick.
Offensively, Segura probably won’t offer the same upside as Kendrick, but the Diamondbacks don’t necessarily need offense either. He hit .257/.281/.336 with six homers and 50 RBIs in 142 games last season. At 25 though, there’s a chance he’ll still grow into something more.
On the Brewers side, this one is pretty simple to figure out. They’re a rebuilding team now under new general manager David Stearns. This already marks his eighth trade, and more could come soon with catcher Jonathan LuCroy also reported to be available.
They’re looking to shed salary and add talent, which was mostly accomplished here. They’ll have to pay Hill $12 million in 2016, unless some money also exchanged hands in the deal. But that’s only a one year commitment.
Beyond that, the Brewers are also looking to make room for their next superstar.
Arcia ranked No. 6 on MLB.com’s prospect rankings, which were released on Friday night. His time is certainly coming soon.
[Elsewhere: Clayton Kershaw is against the DH, calls baseball ‘two-sided’ game]
With that said, Yahoo’s own Jeff Passan particularly liked one piece coming back to Milwaukee.
So far, so good, it would appear for Stearns. But truth be told, he’s just getting started.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
