Sep 27, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura (2) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (not pictured) in the first inning at Nationals Park. Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Mariners and Diamondbacks combined on a blockbuster five-player deal Tuesday night — a trade that bolstered Seattle’s lineup and middle infield while fortifying Arizona’s rotation.
Seattle received shortstop Jean Segura, outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-hander Zac Curtis, while Arizona came away with right-handed starter Taijuan Walker and shortstop Ketel Marte.
Segura, an All-Star in 2013 with the Milwaukee Brewers, is expected to step in as Seattle’s leadoff hitter. The 26-year-old hit .319 with 20 homers, 64 RBIs, 102 runs and 33 steals for Arizona last season. He led the National League with 203 hits.
“Segura was one of the premier offensive players in the majors last season,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “His combination of average, power and speed is extremely difficult to find, especially at a position like shortstop and at the top of our lineup. We believe pairing him with Robinson Cano gives us tremendous offensive potential in the middle of our infield.
“Hitting at the top of our lineup, he gives us a different dynamic than we had at any point in 2016. We really wanted to upgrade the way things worked at the top of our lineup, and Jean Segura does this.”
Haniger, 25, hit .229 in 34 games after being called up by Arizona in August. He hit five home runs and drove in 17 in 109 at-bats. A first-round pick by Milwaukee in 2012, he was named Arizona’s minor league player of the year last year after batting .321 with 25 homers and 94 RBIs at Double-A and Triple-A.
In 21 games with Arizona last season, Curtis was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.
“We see Haniger as a high-ceiling prospect who projects to join our outfield as soon as next season, while Zac Curtis’ track record in the minors gives us great confidence in his future as a big-league pitcher,” Dipoto said.
The Diamondbacks bolstered their rotation with Walker, a 24-year-old who went 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA in 25 starts last season while dealing with a foot injury.
“Young, controllable pitching is hard to find and adding Taijuan to the rotation gives us significant depth in that area,” new Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said. according to Fox Sports Arizona. “He’s not one of the guys you’re able to acquire all the time. He has power stuff and we’ve seen that. He’s a big guy He’s a prototypical starting pitcher that you want in your starting rotation.”
Arizona tried to acquire Walker four years ago, but Justin Upton exercised his no-trade clause, killing the deal.
Marte, 23, hit .259 in 119 games for Seattle. He was the team’s Opening Day shortstop, but he also spent three stints on the disabled list.
“In Ketel, we believe we have acquired a talented switch-hitting shortstop to join a very solid core of young middle infielders,” Hazen said.
To account for the net gain of one player on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated pitcher Pat Venditte for assignment.
