The Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers struck a deal on Saturday afternoon, agreeing to a five-player deal that will see Jean Segura and pitching prospect Tyler Wagner headed to Arizona in exchange for Aaron Hill, Chase Anderson, prospect Isan DIaz and cash.
Arizona had been pushing for any deal to trade Hill and they found it, while picking up a young shortstop who has flashed great ability before. The 25-year-old Segura was phenomenal in 2013, hitting 12 home runs and stealing 44 bases along with a .294 batting average and .329 on-base percentage.
It was a career season for Segura and many thought it was the beginning of a bright future for the then 22-year-old shortstop, but his play has fallen off since. In 2014, Segura could only muster a .246 batting average and saw his OBP drop to .289. Things got even worse last season when Segura finished with a .281 on-base percentage.
The Diamondbacks have to be hoping that a change of scenery can revitalize Segura's career or more specifically his bat. Segura's glove isn't remotely close enough to bump out Nick Ahmed from the starting job, making second base the only realistic option for Segura. In that case, he will have to battle for the starting job in spring training with Chris Owings
Arizona also acquires Wagner, a 25-year-old righty who spent most of the 2015 season in Double-A, who put up a 2.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 120/45 K/BB ratio in 25 starts. Wagner got a short taste of the majors, making three starts but allowing 11 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings. There are questions about whether or not he can be a major league starter long-term.
The Brewers finally decided to cut ties with Segura after giving him two more seasons, hoping the talent and numbers they saw in 2013 would return. But after two years of hurting the team offensively and defensively, Milwaukee knew it was time to part ways. It's a great move given they have Orlando Arcia, rated as the fifth-best prospect in baseball by MLB.com, almost ready to come to the majors and start.
In addition to receiving cash to help take on Hill's $12 million salary, the Brewers receive Anderson, a 28-year-old righty who made 27 starts for the Diamondbacks last season. In 27 starts, Anderson held a 4.30 ERA and 1.30 WHIP along with a 11/40 K/BB ratio. Anderson offers the Brewers a short-term starter, but the long-term upside is limited given his age.
Diaz, a 19-year-old shortstop, is the highest-rated prospect in the deal. He was rated as Arizona's ninth-best prospect by Baseball America for the upcoming season and Arizona's 13th-best prospect by FanGraphs.
Last season in his second year playing rookie ball, Diaz slashed .360/.43/.640 with 13 home runs and 12 stolen bases over 272 at bats. In a Baseball America chat about the Diamondbacks prospects, BA writer Bill Mitchell wrote this about Diaz
"Bill Mitchell: Scouts and Pioneer League managers were universally high on Diaz during my research into that league’s prospects. As good as the reports were from the Pioneer League, scouts were even more glowing about his potential after viewing him in instructional league. He probably won’t stay at shortstop, but it looks like the bat is real."