ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

The Ain’t No Fang Podcast: Was Daulton Varsho trade a good or bad move?

Dec 27, 2022, 6:18 PM | Updated: Dec 28, 2022, 12:49 pm

When a fourth-place Major League Baseball team trades away its best position player, that is usually not a good sign.

The Arizona Diamondbacks used their surplus of lefty-hitting outfielders to strengthen the catcher position and land a right-handed hitting utility man.

The D-backs on Friday dealt Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays for Gabriel Moreno, one of the best catching prospects in baseball, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., a solid veteran.

Yet, trading one of your best players always hurts.

Varsho established himself in 2022, hitting 27 home runs. He was nominated for two separate gold gloves.

The Blue Jays were always a natural fit to be a trade partner.

In a time when good catchers are scarce, Toronto had three of them: Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk and Moreno. The one thing they desperately lacked was a left-handed hitter.

Evaluating the success of a trade always takes time. Probably years.

As for right now?

Steve Zinsmeister and Cody Fincher of The Ain’t No Fang, an Arizona Sports podcast, provide their early reactions to the trade that send Varsho from the desert to Canada.

Arizona Diamondbacks

MLB games postponed, New York air...

Associated Press

Air quality in New York, Philly lead to sports game cancellations

MLB postponed games in New York and Philadelphia on Wednesday night because of poor air quality caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires.

18 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Wills Rice

ESPN projects D-backs to have 1 MLB All-Star starter, 3 reserves

ESPN's staff gave their early 2023 National League All-Star predictions that featured four Arizona Diamondbacks players.

18 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas is safe at second base as Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams...

Associated Press

Diamondbacks rally against Nationals’ beleaguered bullpen in 10-5 win

The Arizona Diamondbacks rallied against Washington's beleaguered bullpen to beat the Nationals 10-5 on Tuesday night.

18 hours ago

Emmanuel Rivera #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a single against the Miami Marlins during the ...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Emmanuel Rivera building role after challenge to prove himself

Emmanuel Rivera started the year in Reno with something to prove and has been a consistent threat in the D-backs' lineup since coming back.

3 days ago

Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks gets ready in the batters box against the Milwaukee ...

Alex Weiner

D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno learning on the job, Carson Kelly nears return

D-backs catchers Gabriel Moreno and Jose Herrera have held down the fort with Carson Kelly on the 60-day injured list.

3 days ago

Eddie Rosario #8 of the Atlanta Braves hits a grand slam against the Arizona Diamondbacks during th...

Arizona Sports

D-backs’ bullpen falters late in rubber match with Braves

Miguel Castro's blown save cost the Arizona Diamondbacks a series victory against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field.

4 days ago

The Ain’t No Fang Podcast: Was Daulton Varsho trade a good or bad move?