Arizona Acquires Shortstop Gregorius in Three-Team, Nine-Player Deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Didi Gregorius on Tuesday in a three team, nine player trade that attempted to solidify Arizona’s future at the shortstop position. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks continued their busy off-season on Tuesday by acquiring what they hope to be their answer at shortstop for years to come in a three-team, nine player trade also involving the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. Arizona acquired young shortstop Didi Gregorius from Cincinnati and left-handed reliever Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson from Cleveland.

Arizona shipped prized pitching prospect Trevor Bauer and relievers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw to Cleveland. Cleveland also acquired outfielder Drew Stubbs from the Reds. Cincinnati received Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, shortstop Jason Donald and about $3.5 million from Cleveland.

Arizona’s Trevor Bauer was shipped to the Indians on Tuesday in a three team, nine player deal involving Cleveland and Cincinnati. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The center piece for the Diamondbacks was Gregorius, a player that GM Kevin Towers said reminded him of “a young Derek Jeter”. Considered more of a defensive standout, the 22 year-old Dutchman got his first taste of big league action last season. Gregorius hit .300 with two RBI’s in eight games with Cincinnati last season. In five minor league seasons, Gregorius hit .271 with 20 home runs and 166 RBI’s, splitting time between rookie ball t the lowest level and Class AAA at the highest. His best season in the minors came in 2010, when he hit .272 with five home runs and 41 RBI’s split between Class A ball and  professional baseball in Australia. He also hit 11 triples for the Reds farm system that season.

The Diamondbacks had an obvious falling out with Trevor Bauer and he became expendable with the signing of Brandon McCarthy last week. While Bauer has massive potential, his throwing program and attitude irked people in the organization and he became surplus for the Diamondbacks. They had to give him up to get their man in Gregorius. Bryan Shaw was going to see his role reduced this season with the acquisition of Health Bell and Albers was seen as a stop-gap in the bullpen for the short term.

Tony Sipp will get his chance to compete for a left-handed spot in the Arizona bullpen with Matt Reynolds. The left-handed Sipp pitched the last four seasons in Cleveland. Last season, Sipp was 1-2 with a 4.42 ERA in 63 appearances for the Indians.

Anderson will most likely be sent down to Class AAA Reno. Anderson hit .250, with 9 home runs and 59 RBI’s last season with Class AAA Pawtucket and Columbus.