Diamondbacks, Cubs Agree To Deal

With Spring Training under way the Cactus League helped the Diamondbacks and Cubs come together and agree to a seven player deal on Wednesday.

The deal sends RF Jayson Werth and 2B D.J. LeMahieu to Chicago in exchange for a variety of prospects and 2B Brian Roberts. Werth had a very good season in 2013 after a sluggish start, but with the soon-to-be 35 year old's $9.1 million a year contract set to expire it was doubtful that Arizona would resign him. Werth has been on the wrong end of the OF depth chart during the offseason with CF Peter Bourjos and RF Domonic Brown filling his likely positions, this move seems to indicate that management is interested in giving LF Dayan Viciedo the starting job.

The centerpiece of the deal on the Diamondbacks side is SS Luis Sardinas, originally drafted by the Texas rangers, who is ranked as the #76th overall prospect by MLB.com. Sardinas was drafted in the same class as 2B/SS Jurickson Profar, but took slightly longer to develop, he has still impressed scouts and is only 20 years old. If things work out the Diamondbacks could have a solid 2B-SS combo with Chris Owings and Sardinas in the near future.

Is Sardinas the future at SS?

The remaining prospects featured two former Diamondbacks in RHP Jake Barrett and LHP Eury De La Rosa. With Matt Reynolds going down for the season and being released, the Diamondbacks desperately needed RP depth. Barrett had been rated behind fellow hard tossing RHP Matt Stites, but coming into this season most scouts put Barrett above Stites in the closer-of-the-future pecking order. De La Rosa is a poorly rated reliever who seems destined for a LOOGY role, not to say his skills will not be needed.

The final pieces of the deal were former Royals SS Orlando Calixte and comeback-minded 2B Brian Roberts. Calixte was of interest as Arizona looks to build MI depth in it's system, and Roberts was mostly thrown into the deal to balance team salaries ($8.0 million left) and serve as a back-up to the equally injury prone 2B Aaron Hill. Roberts has only managed 192 games in the past four years, with his 17 game 2012 season particularly worrisome, and hasn't been productive since 2009. If Hill suffers another injury setback and 2B Grant Green doesn't live up to expectations Roberts should get the call.

With Arizona's failure to sign an OF in free agency, a move that would have pushed Brown to LF, this looks like a risky move for the 2014 season. An injury to any of their starters would push utility OF Tony Campana or Ryan Raburn (another bloated expiring contract) into the starting lineup. The loss of LeMahieu also complicates this scenario, but it looks like Arizona's GMs are acutely aware that any injuries would scuttle their bid for an NL West title and probably end their season no matter what position is compromised.

Upton Shuns Diamondbacks, Returns To Cardinals

After a very lengthy negotiation process OF Justin Upton has opted to return to St. Louis. Upton, who made his MLB debut at 19, received interested from the Tigers, Brewers, and Diamondbacks before deciding on a four-year $64 million deal. Negotiations between Upton and the Diamondbacks continued for days, and reports are that Arizona had a three year $59.4 million deal on the table with a team option for a fourth. It's unclear if Upton was swayed by the guaranteed money or the legendary Cardinals charm, either way he leaves Diamondbacks fans disappointed.

Can Upton return to elite status?

Upton has been traded a number of times since being drafted by Arizona in 2005. He made his way to the Cardinals in 2012 when the Rays (who had acquired Upton from the Mariners in 2011) sent him to St. Louis in exchange for OF Carlos Gonzalez and 2011 1st round pick SP Tyler Goeddel.

Upton has shown flashes of being a truly elite player by posting 20-20 seasons in 2009 and 2011, but his past few seasons have been disappointing considering his level of talent. After starting the 2013 season with 12HR and a .298 average in the month of April, Upton stumbled and managed only 15HR for the rest of the season and ended with a .278 average after hitting well below .250 through May and June. While 27HR is a good total, it fell far below expectations after his incredible April. Upton also posted a career high in strike outs (161) and his first single digit SB total (8) since his first two years in the league.

Kevin Gregg, Diamondbacks Reach Deal

The Diamondbacks announced the signing of free agent RP Kevin Gregg today, a move that will help shore up their bullpen. Gregg, 35, received little interest on the open market after saving 33 games for Colorado in 2013.

Gregg has agreed to a two-year $1.2 million offer, and many assume he may retire before the end of the deal. Despite saving 177 games since 2007 only the Washington Nationals showed interest in the veteran reliever.

Arizona's GM spoke briefly about the signing on Thursday "We think Kevin [Gregg] is very underrated, and we have a staff full of young pitchers. If anything he's a veteran leader, and we have a proven back-up if Jim [Johnson] is injured."

Gregg is currently behind RP Joakim Soria and David Hernandez on the Diamondbacks depth chart.

Diamondbacks Ink Aaron Hill

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed their third player this offseason by coming to terms with 2B Aaron Hill. Hill has been up and down since having a stellar season in 2009 where he hit 36HR and drove in 108, winning his first Silver Slugger award. He seemed to bounce back in 2012 for the Braves, winning his second Silver Slugger, but injuries plagued his final season in Atlanta where he only played in 87 games.

Can Arizona fans expect 2012 Hill, or a 2013 disappointment?

The second base market this year was poor at best with Hill clearly headlining the group. Players like Mark Ellis (Orioles), Blake DeWitt (Royals), Ronnie Cedeno (Padres), and Clint Barmes (resigned with Padres) received little interest and signed quickly. The only players who received much interest outside of Hill were Omar Infante (Two years $9 million to Cleveland) and Emilio Bonifaco (Two years $7.2 million to the Giants), so Hill was in an excellent position to get the most out of free agency. Hill received interest from the Marlins, Rangers, and Braves, but in the end Atlanta dropped out and Hill agreed to a two-year $13.6 million deal. Hill had previously signed with Atlanta in 2011 for three years and $23.1 million, so Arizona may have landed a bargain.

Diamondbacks management was very happy to add Hill's bat to their lineup "at a position of concern" with DJ LeMahieu and rookie Grant Green currently manning 2B.

Can Green live up to his potential?

"We are excited to have Aaron join our organization, and we believe he has the potential to win a third Silver Slugger her in Phoenix. It's also a great opportunity for some of our younger players to learn under a veteran."

Hill's move to Chase Field should help him recover his award winning form as it has consistently outperformed Turner Field as a hitter's park (MLB Park Factor), especially in HRs.