BREWERS, D'BACKS MAKE 5-PLAYER DEAL
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired infielders Aaron Hill and Isan Diaz, pitcher Chase Anderson and cash from the Arizona Diamondbacks for infielder Jean Segura and pitcher Tyler Wagner.
What does it give the Milwaukee Brewers
Hill and Anderson can help the Brew Crew this season, but the gem of this deal is Isan Diaz. The young shortstop won the Pioneer League (Rookie level) MVP award this past season, batting for average (.360) and power (13 HR) while stealing 12 bases. He has the look of an eventually above-average Major Leaguer, so he alone is a nice return for Segura. Meanwhile Hill is a veteran leader who can play several infield positions and Anderson is a passable starting pitcher who should be in the mix for the fourth or fifth spot in Milwaukee's rotation. Above all though, this deal is about adding Diaz and more immediately about saving money and clearing room at shortstop for uber-prospect Orlando Arcia (who should begin the season at Triple-A).
What does it give the Arizona Diamondbacks
The D'backs are in obvious 'win-now' mode and adding Segura should help them do that. The former All-Star can step in and give Arizona an all-round, above-average starting shortstop, with Chris Owings likely shifting back to second base. That said, pitcher Wagner looks like the steal of this deal for 'Zona; he posted a sterling 2.25 ERA over 25 Double-A starts last season and is already excellent at inducing ground balls. Wagner has the potential to be an above-average Major League rotation option soon, so this is a solid deal by the D'backs.
Fantasy impact
In 2016 single-season fantasy leagues, Segura gets a small uptick in value because he has a good chance to bat near the top of a solid Diamondbacks order while likely starting regularly at shortstop. That said, Nick Ahmed is still around, so a starting gig isn't yet assured for Segura. Ahmed's fantasy fortunes clearly plummet. On the Milwaukee side of the deal, Jonathan Villar will likely man short until talented prospect Orlando Arcia is ready (but Villar isn't much of a fantasy option except for his base-stealing ability); meanwhile Hill should push unproven Garin Cecchini for starts at third base, but neither player looks fantasy-worthy (yet) in most formats. Anderson might see some starts for the Brewers, but he too is not yet on the fantasy radar. For keeper leagues, Diaz and especially Arcia become more appealing with the Brewers, as does Wagner with the D'backs (with Wagner possibly pushing for a starter job in Arizona's rotation).
