The Diamondbacks made five deadline moves. Here is a quick look back at the two minor ones.
While the Diamondbacks were not nearly as active at the deadline as some expected, they did still make some meaningful moves, and even one that came as a complete shock. On the “typical low-cost move” side of things, the sort of trade made every deadline, the Diamondbacks had one.
Randall Grichuk (OF/DH) to the Kansas City Royals for Andrew Hoffman (RP)
For the second season in a row, Grichuk has put in a solid, professional campaign as the right-handed side of the DH platoon while also filling in nicely in the outfield when called upon. Unlike last year, when the Diamondbacks were still very much in the running for October baseball, the Diamondbacks are clearly out of the race this season. As such, Arizona decided to move Grichuk on at the deadline this year. The move was a low-risk move for both sides. The return from the Kansas City Royals was an MLB-ready relief pitcher with some modest upside left to be realized that could see him settling in as a high-leverage reliever. Should Hoffman not make the last step in his development, he’s still an inning-eating middle reliever at the highest level. Hoffman, like many relievers, struggles with his command. However, as we have seen with the likes of Justin Martinez, it is possible to get some strong results despite weak command. Hoffman will need to do more to limit the free passes and fat pitches, but the stuff is there and so is the mentality. Hoffman has already made one appearance for Reno. To say that it was an adventure would be understating things. Hoffman gave up a hit and two walks and did not strike anyone out. Yet he still got out of the inning without allowing any damage. It took 22 pitches to do so, but the result was a zero on the scoreboard. He’ll need to improve on that, but it is an appearance that showed promise and also encapsulated almost the entirety of the current Hoffman experience.
Sadly for the Royals, the day after they acquired Randall Grichuk, they were forced to shift him to the 10-day IL for a strained hamstring.
With the Diamondbacks season having effectively ended during the course of this last week, they will not be missing the bat of Grichuk much. They now have the opportunity to start getting looks at other players that need some outfield or hitting reps. They save a marginal amount of cash. They also have a bullpen arm with potential that still has rookie eligibility intact.
Then, so close to the deadline that the details did not finish coming out until about 15-20 minutes after the deadline, the Diamondbacks made what many consider a head-scratcher of a deal. I cannot say the head-scratchers are entirely wrong to be confused, but it is still going to make plenty of Arizona fans happy, if only because it sees Shelby Miller involved in yet another Arizona salary dump trade, this time with him going away, and it also officially ends the Diamondbacks’ obligations to Jordan Montgomery. Yes, you read that right. the Tommy John recovering Jordan Montgomery was traded.
Shelby Miller (RP) and Jordan Montgomery (SP/60-day IL) to Milwaukee for a PTBNL or Cash
While the ink has not yet dried on the deal, it has been widely reported that the return will indeed be cash, with this deal being a strict salary dump. Shelby Miller was considered to be a potential trade chip for Arizona at the deadline. Given the high price tags hung on many of the relievers that moved on deadline day, it really is a shame that Miller was unable to get back on the mound and prove his arm health in time to be shopped around. Still, despite his current status, his early-season heroics out of the bullpen were enough for the Milwaukee Brewers to have an interest in Miller as a late-inning high leverage arm for their playoff run.
In exchange for Shelby Miller, the Brewers have agreed to take responsibility for Jordan Montgomery, who just keeps winning with his contract as he now will be paid an additional $500,000 trade bonus. Granted, Milwaukee is not picking up the entirety of the salary, but they are taking some of it. In the end, this deal saves the Diamondbacks a touch over $2 million, as that is the sum being picked up by the Brewers on Montgomery’s deal, while the Brewers will also pay the remainder of Miller’s salary.
While this is a disappointing return for a player that only two weeks ago looked to bring a needle-moving return, the team saving some money and being able to get some closure on the terrible Jordan Montgomery experience is still a good bit of business. Kudos to Mike Hazen for pulling it off and extracting some value from some injured players that bring nothing to the future of the organization.