Heath Bell spent one season in Arizona. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel.
The Arizona Diamondbacks woke up from their offseason slumber by making a three way deal with the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays. Heath Bell was shipped to the Rays while David Holmberg was dealt to the Reds. Perhaps most importantly, the D’backs only have to pay $500,000 of the $6 million dollars on Bell’s contract. (Information gathered from arizonasports.com with tweets by Nick Piecoro at azcentral.com and John Gambadoro from AM 620).
Bell saved 15 games for the D’backs in 2013 while filling in for the injured J.J. Putz. In 69 games, he was 5-2 with a 4.11 ERA. Although Bell pitched better than what most fans believe, he was also part of a bullpen that blew a Major League leading 29 games. Holmberg was ranked as the D’backs #5 prospect according to mlb.com and started one game for the D’backs in 2013. At Double A Mobile, Holmberg was 5-8 with a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts. The lefty was originally taken in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Chicago White Sox and came to the D’backs along with Daniel Hudson in the trade that send Edwin Jackson to Chicago.
Arizona receives right handed pitcher Justin Choate from the Rays who pitched at Class A Hudson Valley in 2013. He went 1-3 with a 2.88 ERA in 16 games, registering nine saves. The 22 year old Choate was signed out of Stephen F. Austin and made his professional debut on June 25th. The D’backs will also be receiving a player to be named later.
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