Arizona Diamondbacks News: Trevor Cahill Traded to the Braves
By Joseph Jacquez
Well this changes everything folks. Three days ago, Trevor Cahill was given one of the final two spots in the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation.
Today he was traded by the Diamondbacks to the Braves along with cash considerations, for minor-league outfielder Josh Elander according to Steve Gilbert of Dbacks.com
The Diamondbacks will send $6.5 million to Atlanta to help pay the $12 million owed to Cahill, the final year of his current deal. The Diamondbacks will save $5.5 million.
Cahill did improve this spring after hitting rock bottom in 2014, but General Manager Dave Stewart and the rest of the front office seized the oppurtuntity to trade his massive contract, and make room in the rotation.
Elander was drafted by the Braves in the 6th round of the 2012 First Year Player Draft. He has played mainly LF in the Atlanta system, and he hit .219 with Class-A Lynchburg.
The Diamondbacks weren’t expecting to get much in return, and that is ok because this move was all about a salary dump.
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My Thoughts:
Trading for Cahill was probably one of if not the worst move of the Kevin Towers era so trading him away has to feel relieving to many Diamondbacks fans.
He did show improvement this spring, but given how he preformed in 2014, he shouldn’t be making $12 million, and the Diamondbacks jumped all over the opportunity to move what was thought to be an immovable contract.
This opens the door for Archie Bradley to join the rotation as the fifth’s starter, and according to Bob Nightengale of the USA Today, that is exactly what is going to happen.
There are some service time guidelines to keep in mind, but let’s be honest Diamondbacks fans would rather see Bradley who was the top pitcher this spring. This is a great day!