Balls in the Dirt

How the D-Backs Land Trumbo 
by Hayden Hughes
December 10, 2013

The past 36 hours have been filled with anticipation sprinkled with anxiety, for me. But once my school work is over, I can actually pay attention to the Diamondbacks.

Just kidding.

The D-Backs seem determined not to leave the Winter Meetings in Orlando without either Shin-Soo Choo or Mark Trumbo.

My vote is with the strikeout-prone Trumbo.
Yes, he’s right-handed and our lineup is lacking a left-handed hitter.
But, he’s younger, cheaper, and is arbitration eligible through 2017. 

Choo presents an opportunity for the D-Backs to give a long, expensive contract to an outfielder for the first time in franchise history. But Choo isn’t that player, for me. His speed will decline, and his 20 or so home runs won’t do the D-Backs much good coming out of the lead-off spot.

So instead, I opt for the D-Backs to pull the trigger on a three-team trade with the Angels and White Sox – two teams Arizona has traded with multiple times in the past (See: Chris Young/Javier Vasquez, Carlos Quentin, Daniel Hudson/Edwin Jackson, Dan Haren/Patrick Corbin and Joe Saunders).

As of Tuesday morning, 11:10 a.m. Arizona time, here’s whats being reported from the perspective of the D-Backs:
The D-Backs give up: Adam Eaton to Chicago, Tyler Skaggs to Anaheim
The Angels give up: Mark Trumbo and a prospect (both to Arizona)
Chicago gives up: Hector Santiago to Anaheim, one prospect to Arizona

I hope those prospects are good. Howie Kendrick was believed to be heading to Chicago from Anaheim, but as of 11:30 that seems to be unlikely.

I’d like to play armchair GM and see what Chicago would demand for Sale. Bye-bye Archie?