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.

Paul Goldschmidt got the scoring started in the top of the first inning when he singled to center field, plating Willie Bloomquist  and putting the snakes up 1-0.

Aaron Hill continued his impressive offensive campaign this season by singling to right center field, scoring Bloomquist and tacking on to Arizona’s lead, 2-0. Hill would add another RBI with a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, extending Arizona’s lead to 3-0.

Jul 19, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Joe Saunders (34) pitches during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

The snakes would benefit from a big sixth inning when Chris Young doubled to deep left-center field, scoring Justin Upton. Henry Blanco would score Young on a two run blast to left field, putting the D-backs up 6-0, and in a good position for the victory.

The Reds would not go quietly however. In the bottom half of the inning, Brandon Phillips pounded a three run home run to left field, scoring Drew Stubbs and Wilson Valdez, and cutting Arizona’s lead to 6-3.

Cincinnati would come up big in the bottom of the seventh inning to complete an unlikely comeback. The home team would add another run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Valdez safely reached second on an error by Arizona first baseman Goldschmidt, allowing Xavier Paul to score. Stubbs and Valdez would then score on an RBI double by Phillips to tie the score up at 6-6. With Phillips on second base, Todd Frazier would come up to the plate and put the Reds on top 7-6 on an RBI single to center field.

Phillips had a huge night for Cincinnati, going 2-4 with two runs scored and collecting five RBIs on the evening.

Joe Saunders provided a strong start for Arizona, allowing three runs on four hits through six strong innings. Unfortunately for Saunders, Arizona’s bullpen provided their first poor outing since the All-Star break. The bullpen allowed two hits, two earned runs and two walks in three innings of relief.

The D-backs head home for a three game series against the visiting Houston Astros, where Trevor Cahill will get the ball on Friday night to open the series.

Arizona got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning, when Kubel slammed a two run home run to center field, putting the snakes up 2-0.

Cincinnati would respond in the bottom of the second inning when Drew Stubbs singled to right field, scoring Ryan Hanigan and cutting the lead to 2-1.

Jul 18, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) is congratulated by catcher Miguel Montero (26) at the end of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Diamondbacks defeated the Reds 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

Kubel continued his hot night with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth inning, extending the D-backs lead to 3-1. Arizona tacked on a couple more runs in the top of the fifth inning when Aaron Hill doubled to left field, scoring Ryan Roberts and moving Ian Kennedy to third base. After an intentional walk to Kubel, Kennedy would score on a bases loaded walk to Miguel Montero, extending Arizona’s lead to 5-1.

In the top of the eighth inning,  Paul Goldschmidt would add to his stat sheet with an RBI double to deep right field, scoring Justin Upton. Goldschmidt would score on a passed ball by Ryan Hanigan, putting Arizona up 7-1.

Ian Kenndy showed us why he is the ace of the staff, by throwing eight strong innings, allowing eight hits and only one run, and striking out seven batters while picking up his seventh victory of the season.

Arizona starter Joe Saunders hopes to provide the D-backs with a strong outing tomorrow in his return to the rotation after spending some time on the DL.