Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, Agree To Five-Player Trade

The Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks have confirmed a trade that will send shortstop Jean Segura and pitcher Tyler Wagner to Arizona in exchange for starter Chase Anderson, second baseman Aaron Hill, and prospect Isan Diaz. Keith Law of ESPN first reported the full details of the trade.

Nick Piecoro of Arizona Republic reported that the Diamondbacks will save $6.5 million of the $12 million owed to Hill. The Inquisitr reported earlier in the week that Arizona was looking to trade from its surplus of second basemen, preferring to rid themselves of Hill’s contract.

In trading Hill, the Diamondbacks acquire the soon-to-be 26-year-old Segura. The speedy, Dominican-born infielder enjoyed a breakout season in 2013, hitting .294 with 12 HR, 49 RBI, and 44 stolen bases through 146 games. However, he has failed to maintain that quality production in the two years since.

From 2014-2015, Segura regressed at the plate and on the basepaths, hitting a combined .251 with 11 HR, 51 RBI, and 45 stolen bases. His tenure with the Brewers also yielded its share of tragedy, as he’s dealt with the death of his 9-month-old son and was inadvertently struck in the face by Ryan Braun’s bat.

Now, Segura joins defensive-minded youngsters Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings in the Diamondbacks’ infield. While the thought is that Segura will switch from shortstop to second base, GM Dave Stewart told reporters, including Nick Piecoro of Arizona Republic, that his newest acquisition will compete for playing time at both positions.

As Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times mentions, Saturday’s trade will be somewhat of a “coming full circle” story.

Jean Segura, top prospect traded by #Angels to get Zack Greinke in 2012, now gets to be Greinke’s teammate in Arizona.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) January 30, 2016

The Diamondbacks also receive 25-year-old righty, Tyler Wagner. The Las Vegas, Nevada, native made his MLB debut last season, going 0-2 with a 7.24 ERA in three starts. Per MLB Trade Rumors, Wagner has previously averaged 95 mph on his sinker and has “solid command and control profile but lacks big swing-and-miss stuff.” He figures to either start 2016 in Triple-A or in the bullpen.

The Brewers’ end of the trade notably brings in the 28-year-old Chase Anderson. A noted changeup specialist, Anderson will likely slot into the Brewers’ rotation and could be there a while as he still has five years of team control. In 48 career starts, Anderson owns a 15-13 record with a 4.18 ERA through 267 innings. Anderson has shown a propensity to give up the longball (career 1.1 HR/9 rate).

The aforementioned Aaron Hill joins the Brewers after three consecutive subpar seasons in Arizona. After hitting .302 with 26 HR and 85 RBI in 2012, the Diamondbacks rewarded Hill with a three-year, $35 million extension. They didn’t get much of a return on their investment as poor play and injuries hindered the former Toronto Blue Jay. In the three seasons after the extension, Hill was a .245 hitter with 27 HR and 140 RBI while playing second and third base. FanGraphs views Hill as a generally below average defender at both positions, especially since 2013.

However, Hill, who is in the final year of his contract, will get the opportunity to earn significant playing time as he mentors several of the Brewers’ young infielders, GM David Stearns told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Finally, the Brewers also receive infield prospect, Isan Diaz. The 19-year-old enjoyed a successful second season as a pro, hitting .360 with 13 HR and 51 RBI in 68 games at the rookie ball level. Those strong numbers earned him MVP of the Pioneer League honors.

[Featured Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images]