NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) In another dramatic move to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired All-Star right-hander Shelby Miller from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for overall No. 1 draft pick Dansby Swanson and two other prospects.
A day after finalizing a $206.5 million, six-year contract with major league ERA leader Zack Greinke, Arizona sent outfielder Ender Inciarte and pitching prospect Aaron Blair to the Braves and also acquired minor league left-hander Gabe Speier.
”If by some chance we get lucky and we get an opportunity to make a nice deal that helps us right now, then you take the opportunity and you take the chance to do it,” Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said Tuesday before the trade became known.
Greinke is set to anchor a new-look rotation that also could include Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa and Robbie Ray.
”We’re counting on his mentorship with our other pitchers and being a part of helping their growth,” Stewart said.
The Cubs also made some major moves, agreeing to a $56 million, four-year contract with infielder Ben Zobrist and trading second baseman Starlin Castro to the New York Yankees for right-hander Adam Warren and a player to be named, likely infielder Brendan Ryan.
Zobrist played his first nine seasons with Tampa Bay when current Cubs manager Joe Maddon ran the Rays.
”He’s all about winning. That’s what he’s about,” Maddon said.
Chicago also finalized a $32 million, two-year contract with 37-year-old right-hander John Lackey, who slots in as the Cubs’ third starter behind Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester.
In the past year, the Yankees also acquired Didi Gregorius (25), Dustin Ackley (26) and Aaron Hicks (26). Looking for their first World Series title since 2009, the Yankees missed the playoffs for two straight years, then lost to Houston in this year’s wild-card game.
”It hasn’t and isn’t part of our DNA to accept that full-blown commitment to a rebuild,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. ”I think the ownership’s comfort level is walking that tightrope rather than tear down and live to fight another day. The public stated goal is to get younger and compete for the championship every year.”
St. Louis acquired infielder Jedd Gyorko from San Diego for outfielder Jon Jay. The Padres will pay St. Louis $7.5 million to cover part of the $33 million remaining on Gyorko’s contract.
The 27-year-old Gyorko hit .247 with 16 homers and 57 RBIs this year, spending time at second base, shortstop and first base. He has a .236 average in three big league seasons with 49 homers and 171 RBIs.
Also:
– Atlanta agreed to a $5.3 million, two-year contract with catcher Tyler Flowers, a person familiar with that deal said, also speaking on condition of anonymity because there had not been an announcement.
-Detroit finalized an $11 million, two-year contract with reliever Mark Lowe.
-Colorado agreed to two-year deals with a pair of relievers, guaranteeing Jason Motte $10 million and Chad Qualls $6 million.
-Seattle acquired right-hander Evan Scribner from Oakland for minor league right-hander Trey Cochran-Gill.
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