D-backs closer Archie Bradley dealt to Reds for 2 players
Aug 31, 2020, 1:17 PM | Updated: 1:51 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley throws against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning during a baseball game, Sunday, Aug 16, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Diamondbacks have made the decision to move away from one of their mainstays on the roster near the end of Monday’s MLB trade deadline.
The team traded closer and fan favorite Archie Bradley to the Cincinnati Reds, the D-backs announced.
The Reds are sending OF Stuart Fairchild, LF Josh VanMeter and cash considerations in exchange for Bradley.
The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan adds the D-backs are also sending $100,000 to the Reds.
Bradley is arbitration eligible in 2021 and a free agent in 2022.
In 10 games this season, Bradley recorded six saves in seven opportunities. He has a win and a 4.22 ERA.
Bradley is the lone D-back with a save in 2020. Relievers Andrew Chafin and Hector Rondon have three holds each.
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After taking over for closer Greg Holland last season, Bradley tallied a career-high 18 saves in 21 opportunities. From when he took over the closer role July 30 through the end of the year, Bradley posted a 2.10 ERA over 25.2 innings pitched (25 games).
Bradley began his D-backs career as a starter, going 10-12 in 34 starts from 2015-16 before moving to the bullpen. He set a career high in strikeouts in 2016 with 143. Bradley was considered a top-10 pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2014.
Fairchild, a 2017 second-rounder out of wake Forest, was the 11th-ranked prospect in the Reds organization.
The outfielder played in both Double-A and High A last season. As a member of the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2019, Fairchild averaged .275 from the plate to go along with four homers, 42 hits and 17 RBIs. The 24-year-old was walked 19 times.
VanMeter has played in 14 games this season for the Reds. He has two hits in 38 plate appearances, one of which was a home run. He has walked three times and struck out 16 times.
VanMeter saw 95 games with the Reds in 2019, recording 54 hits, eight home runs, 23 RBIs and 29 walks. He finished the year with a .237 batting average.
The D-backs made four trades on Monday, moving Bradley, OF Starling Marte, reliever Andrew Chafin and starting pitcher Robbie Ray.
