Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers: ‘There will be competition’ for closer spot

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to have vastly improved their relief pitching with Monday’s trade of prospect Matt Davidson in exchange for Chicago White Sox closer Addison Reed.

Reed racked up 69 saves over the last two seasons, and also had an 8-6 record with 138 strikeouts in 133.2 innings pitched over that time.

While a guest on Arizona Sports 620’s “D-backs Hot Stove” Monday, Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers explained how the deal for the relief pitcher came to fruition.

“One of the last nights there at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, he [White Sox general manager Rick Hahn] texted me and said, ‘Would you have any interest in Addison Reed?'” Towers said. “And I said, ‘Well, absolutely.'”

The D-backs GM also said the depth the team has at third base made it possible for Davidson to be moved.

Even though Reed put up better stats than any Diamondbacks pitchers who were used as closer last season, Towers said the team’s latest addition won’t automatically be granted the role.

“I’d say there will be competition. He’s certainly had probably as much success as anybody that he’ll be competing against,” the GM said. “It’ll be interesting to see how J.J. (Putz) comes in this spring. You know, Ziggy [Brad Ziegler] did a great job last year for us, although I kind of like him in that seventh or eighth inning as well.”

Towers said he told Reed that he’ll be pitching “in a meaningful role one way or the other.”

Recent D-backs acquisition Mark Trumbo, also a guest of “Hot Stove” on Monday, weighed in on the team’s addition of the 24-year-old closer.

“He’s nasty, man. He’s tall, and he throws from kind of that three-quarter arm angle where the ball’s kind of hidden,” the 27-year-old slugger said. “He’s a great competitor. He stepped right in to that role in Chicago and did a really good job for them. So when I heard that this morning, that’s an awesome addition.”

Towers said he’s happy with the many moves the Diamondbacks have made this offseason, but that he’s likely not finished yet.

“We like what we’ve done so far. With Reed now, and with Trumbo, we’ve addressed two pretty big needs for us, and that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop,” he said. “We’re going to continue to more than likely look more at the free-agent market — in the way of acquiring a starting pitcher — but there are still some good options out there.”