A Diamondbacks’ Shortstop for the Team in Queens

Feb 26, 2014; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius (1) singles against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The Los Angeles Dodgers won the game 4-1Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Not too long ago, I speculated that a shortstop for the Arizona Diamondbacks could end up with the New York Yankees as the replacement for Derek Jeter. With D’backs’ General Manager Kevin Towers’s recent comments, it seems that the team could deal one of their players even sooner. Here is a recap thanks to Nick Piecoro at azcentral.com:

"“For us, it would have to be the right deal,” Towers said. “Our biggest needs in our system are catching. If it’s the right, top-notch catching prospect. Someone we could have right behind Miggy. More of an upper-level guy. Maybe a top, upper-end starter. We have a lot of bullpen depth, infielders. Maybe an outfielder, but probably more catching and Double-A, Triple-A type starter.”"

Lo and behold, the team across the river make might for a good trading partner. The New York Mets have a dire need at shortstop and Danny Abriano at our fellow FanSided site risingapple thinks the Amazins have just what the Snakes are looking for. A name Danny threw out was Kevin Plawecki, a former first round pick who is set to begin at Double A Binghamton. Plawecki has some solid numbers at the plate including a .376 on base percentage in two Minor League seasons. He has Travis d’Arnaud, the top catching prospect in baseball blocking his path in New York.  As far as pitchers go, it is safe to say that top hurlers Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero are both off-limits. Perhaps a guy like Cory Mazzoni, the team’s #12 prospect according to mlb.com would be realistic.  He was a second round pick and had 12 starts at Binghamton last season, averaging more than one strikeout per inning.

As far as the catching side of it goes, Stryker Trahan was the organization’s number one pick in 2012. Michael Perez was a 5th round pick in 2011. It seems the two of them have not made enough progress; both of them should be at Double A this year. There are whispers of Trahan switching positions. One wonders if both of them have fallen out of favor behind the dish.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @venomstrikes