Arizona Diamondbacks Going Hard After Shelby Miller

The Arizona Diamondbacks are pushing extremely hard to acquire pitcher Shelby Miller.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are determined to leave the Winter Meetings with another quality starting pitcher. The mystery is what exactly are the D-backs willing to do to acquire said pitcher. With a truckload of cash earmarked for Zack Greinke, it appears any thoughts of a Mike Leake or a Yovani Gallardo signing via free agency is off the boards. As mlbtraderumors reports, the team is looking to fill out their rotation with a trade. That leaves us with this little nugget as Day Two of the Winter Meetings begins:

It had been earlier reported that Shelby Miller was very close to going to the Chicago Cubs for Javier Baez:

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So it appears that Arizona is the “frontrunners” to acquire the 25-year old Miller. The sticking point, of course is the Snakes’ reluctance to part with centerfielder A.J. Pollock, with good reason. Separating Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt, even for a pitcher the caliber of Miller turns a strength into a less formidable unit. It is almost a step sideways for a team that clearly is in win-now mode. Hopefully, this tweet by Steve Gilbert at mlb.com puts to rest any speculation about Pollock finding a new address and leaving him where he belongs:

OK, so how do the D-backs plan on trading for Miller at this point? We could play general manager and think of several scenarios involving an outfielder. But it would also cost a pitcher such as Aaron Blair whom the Braves tried to include in an earlier Miller-for-Pollock package. The D-backs responded no but if they are as determined as Nightengale says they are to leave with Miller, that answer could turn into a yes. So you (or Dave Stewart, more importantly) as a GM have to ask yourself, can you stomach trading a young pitcher like Blair and a budding star outfielder in David Peralta and perhaps another prospect for a solid #2 two starter in Shelby Miller? You would have to think hard because in order to secure a pitcher of Miller’s caliber, you have to give up premium talent. Of course, maybe you don’t have to do anything:

Next: Arizona Diamondbacks: Winter Meetings Day 1

I am not sure how much to believe that. That could be posturing by Stewart perhaps out of frustration with Atlanta’s negotiating or an attempt to bring the price tag for Miller down. It is about at the point where Miller is basically out of a Braves’ uniform given how much the team is trying to move him. For the D-backs and their fans, when will a deal be finalized? Stay tuned for the answer.