D-backs trade Jean Segura in package for Taijuan Walker, Ketel Marte
Nov 23, 2016, 8:54 PM | Updated: Nov 24, 2016, 12:04 am
Arizona Diamondbacks' Jean Segura (2) runs towards home to score on a single by Jake Lamb as Washington Nationals catcher Pedro Severino, left, waits for the ball during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Diamondbacks announced Wednesday they have traded second baseman Jean Segura, outfielder Mitch Haniger and reliever Zac Curtis to the Seattle Mariners, who shipped pitcher Taijuan Walker and infielder Ketel Marte to Arizona.
Walker, a 24-year-old starter, went 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2016. He underwent surgery in October to have a bone fragment removed in his right ankle/foot, but he is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. The previous season, his first of significant time in MLB, Walker went 11-8 with a 4.56 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
The right-hander pitched a total of 11 games for the Mariners in two seasons prior.
“Young, controllable pitching is hard to find and adding Taijuan to the rotation gives us significant depth in that area,” said D-backs general manager Mike Hazen. “In Ketel, we believe we have acquired a talented switch-hitting shortstop to join a very solid core of young middle infielders.”
Marte, 23, slashed .259/.287/.323 last year in 119 games for Seattle in his first full major league season. He recorded 113 hits with 21 doubles and 33 RBI.
Arizona previously tried to acquire Walker in a squashed 2013 deal that included Justin Upton under the Kevin Towers regime, but Upton vetoed it, according to reports.
Segura batted .319 with 20 home runs and 64 RBI for the Diamondbacks last year after he was acquired in a trade from the Brewers that saw Arizona ship Aaron Hill, pitcher Chase Anderson and prospect Isan Diaz to Milwaukee. He was the first D-back since 2001 (Luis Gonzalez) to reach 200 hits.
Haniger batted .229 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 34 games for Arizona last season, and Curtis appeared in 21 games of relief. He had a 6.75 ERA.
