On Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded away third-base prospect Matt Davidson for White Sox closer Addison Reed.

Reed, who will be 25 on Opening Day 2014, managed a career-high 40 saves with the White Sox last season, also setting career highs in wins (5), appearances (68), innings (71.1) and strikeouts (72). He had eight blown saves and a 3.79 ERA in 2013 and was brought in to help a bullpen which blew a league-high 29 saves last season.

The trade seems to betray earlier offseason sentiment by general manager Kevin Towers, who projected confidence in his internal bullpen options.

“I think the (2014) closer is in the Diamondbacks organization,” he said following the conclusion of last season.

With David Hernandez, J.J. Putz and Brad Ziegler at the back of the big league bullpen and closing prospects Matt Stites and Jake Barrett climbing the ranks at the lower levels, it was easy to understand why Towers believed as much.

And one national baseball writer, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, believes Towers may still believe this.

Several #MLB executives say they wouldn't be surprised to see #Dbacks spin off Addison Reed in future trade for top tier starter

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 16, 2013

If Reed is, indeed, flipped in a trade for a top-of-the-rotation starter, the move will presumably be to a team who has no need at third base, as Davidson’s value on the hot corner now belongs to the White Sox.

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