Diamondbacks trade Aaron Hill, two others to Brewers for INF Jean Segura and RHP Tyler Wagner

The Arizona Diamondbacks added a bat and some speed to the middle of their infield, acquiring Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jean Segura and right-handed pitcher Tyler Wagner for infielder Aaron Hill, RHP Chase Anderson, prospect Isan Diaz and cash considerations.

OFFICIAL: #Dbacks acquire INF Jean Segura & RHP Tyler Wagner from Brewers for Aaron Hill, Chase Anderson, Isan Diaz & cash considerations.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) January 30, 2016

The 25-year-old Segura hit .257 in 2015 with six home runs and 50 RBI. He was an All-Star in 2013, when he hit .294 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI, ten triples and had 44 stolen bases.

Segura will play an important role for the D-backs according to GM Dave Stewart.

Dave Stewart says Jean Segura will likely get majority of his playing time at SS during spring training. Will compete for time at SS and 2B.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) January 31, 2016

The #Dbacks certainly plan to have Jean Segura in the everyday lineup, most likely at second base.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 31, 2016

Dave Stewart says the trade was needed for #DBacks to acquire Segura, or another bat, after including Incarnte in #Braves trade.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 31, 2016

The trade talks have been ongoing according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Stearns said talks with Arizona GM Dave Stewart had been ongoing all winter. Was one of first execs he contacts about Segura.

— Tom (@Haudricourt) January 30, 2016

Segura is under control for three more years and makes $2.6 million this year. He avoided arbitration earlier this month, signing a one-year deal. He was expendable for the Brewers according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

You knew Segura would be traded at some point because top prospect Orlando Arcia will be #Brewers shortstop very soon.

— Tom (@Haudricourt) January 30, 2016

Wagner made three starts for the Brewers last season in his first MLB season, posting a 7.24 ERA in those appearances. MLB.com had Wagner ranked as Milwaukee’s 15th-best prospect heading into the 2016 season. The 25-year-old spent the majority of 2015 with the Biloxi Shuckers of the Double-A Southern League. He posted an 11-5 record with a league-best 2.25 ERA and a 1.149 WHIP in 152.1 innings in 25 games.

Hill was reportedly being shopped by the D-backs this offseason due to his contract.

#Brewers also getting cash back from Diamondbacks to cover some of Aaron Hill's $12 million salary.

— Tom (@Haudricourt) January 30, 2016

The D-backs do plan on using the financial space they opened up in the deal.

Dealing Hill also saves some money if they want to look again at the FA market. Says they're looking at middle/late-inning relievers.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) January 31, 2016

Stewart further clarified: Doesn't have to be a FA reliever. There are trade options, he says, that have been out there all winter.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) January 31, 2016

Of course, the speculated room being created for second baseman Howie Kendrick is no longer an option. Kendrick signed with the Dodgers earlier this week.

Hill hit .302 with 26 home runs and 85 RBI in 2012 and was signed to a three-year extension in February of 2013. Since then he has been unable to live up to the money, hitting only .244 in 2014 and .230 in 2015.

The more defensively skilled Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed played a majority of the games for the middle of the D-backs infield in 2015.

Anderson had a 2.65 ERA in his six starts in May of 2015, but failed to maintain that form through the rest of the year. With the acquisitions of Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller, Anderson’s spot in the rotation was not a lock.

He finished the season with a 4.30 ERA and a 6-6 record.

Diaz was the MVP of the Pioneer League in 2015 and was ranked the 14th-best prospect in the D-backs organization by MLB.com.

 

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