Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart joined Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio (audio link) to discuss last night’s multi-player deal sending Mark Trumbo to the Mariners. He explained that Welington Castillo (acquired in the deal) was not initially a backstop that had interested him upon taking the helm in Arizona — as he hinted, the club conceivably could have made that move when shipping Miguel Montero to the Cubs — but that the loss of Tuffy Gosewisch forced the team’s hand. “The first guy on my list of catchers was [Dioner] Navarro up in Toronto,” said Stewart, who explained that he “had [him] in my sights even in the winter months, before the Winter Meetings.” Stewart added that prospect Gabby Guerrero, who also comes over in the trade, impressed the club this spring.
That deal is a subject that Steve Adams and I tackle in today’s podcast, which will be available in a few hours. Meanwhile, here’s more from the NL West:
- New Dodgers infielder Hector Olivera will make his professional debut tomorrow at Double-A, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register tweets. Director of player development Gabe Kapler had positive things to say about Olivera’s early time in the organization, as Plunkett also reports. “He clearly can handle either” second or third, Kapler added.
- Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was unavailable last night for unknown and somewhat mysterious reasons, as Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports. Something apparently occurred during the game itself that changed his status, but what that is has yet to be reported. Meanwhile, four other relievers oversaw a 9th-inning meltdown in Colorado. After the game, the team said that Jansen “wasn’t feeling well, while ESPN’s Rick Sutcliffe tweeted that he was “sending [his] prayers” to the Dodgers and their closer, adding to the intrigue. The outstanding power pitcher has dealt with heart issues in the past, including experiencing an irregular heartbeat while in Denver.
- Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta has changed agencies and is now a client of ACES, Devan Fink tweeted recently and ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick confirms (Twitter link). The 27-year-old has quickly established himself as a solid major leaguer, and owns a .280/.323/.460 slash line in his first 490 plate appearances. With just 120 days of service accumulated last year, he’ll likely not qualify for arbitration until 2018.
Sounds serious? I hope Kenley is ok..
If a person has heart trouble, the thin air in Denver will certainly expose it
No indication this was the problem. He was at the stadium through the end of the game, which he certainly would not have been had the heart trouble returned. More likely some sort of personal private issue. Family possibly.
There were a few hints at the time that it was indeed a heart issue – can’t remember which beat writers made mention of it.
Jansen has confirmed it since, Donnie was advised around the 5th inning he would be unavailable due to high BP – but would not acknowledge it until tests had been done at least, hence his reluctance to discuss after the game.
Fortunately, he’s okay now. And available to pitch.
latest that’s been reported is that it was dehydration
So Stewart publicly admitted that he didn’t have any interest in his new acquisition even admitting that he could have gotten him earlier but didn’t want him. That is possibly the worst way I have ever seen a new player welcomed to a franchise.
Definitely an odd thing to say. I think it was a good move for the D-Backs, I guess Stewart just kind of stumbled into it by accident.
Yeah poor wording. Could have just said they prefered navarros bat and thought they could get him until this deal came up
Well i think you will be pleasantly surprised with castillo. Getting everyday reps and knowing hes the starter will help him. Hes better than a “backup” catcher
I’m well aware of Castillo. I’ve seen Beef play now in both Chicago and Seattle. I thought it was a solid deal when the M’s got him. He’s a league average hitter with a great arm and questionable framing ability. He put up 13hr in about 110 games with the Cubs in 2013. He was Zuninos twice a week caddy. He’s a second division starter at this point…I think that’s fair…and likely an AZ platoon
Maybe I’m wrong, but isn’t it against the rules to talk about players on other teams when you’re the GM? Stewart has done this multiple times now.
No. GMs just cant discuss what they would pay players on other teams.
It sounds like Stewart is going to be challenging someone to a fight in the parking lot soon.. After he finally gets his foot pried out of his mouth, he sees it laying on the floor.. He then wonders, I wonder how that would feel in my mouth? He needs a speechwriter to write his press releases for him, badly..
Dodgers need to get Hamels and Papelbon Now , Stop pussyfooting around..
you tell em’
Unless they want prospects that aren’t in the Dodgers top 3 I doubt the Dodgers will do a trade. Plus with Jensen you really think papelbon will want to be a setup man. Didn’t he say he want to be a closer and unless Jensen is hurt he not losing his closer spot
One of the Top three, Plus three or Four of the Top 13.
I absolutely thought a Hamels/Papelbon to Dodgers trade was going to be announced today after Jansen was basically pulled out of the game and Hamels was taken out of the game when he was clearly going to pitch another inning. Just unsure of what players go to Phillies… Thinking Zach Lee, Reed, and Jansen and cash.
The Hamels thing was a miscommunication between Sandberg, Ruiz and Hamels. Hamels wasn’t supposed to go back out, so they had to have the trainer take him off.
There’s a 0% chance LA trades Kenley Jansen, especially to the Phillies. Did you see what happened last night when we can’t use Jansen? Have you ever watched Mattingly manage a bullpen whenever he calls on someone not named Kenley? I’d be interested in stats on MLB manager’s who mismanage a bullpen. How can we better quantify this?
Dodgers do have Chris reed in the minors. Wasn’t he a former closer. Maybe bring him up and use him when Jensen can’t go
I don’t get why MLBTR insists on referring to Cuban ballplayers as amateurs. Olivera has been playing professionally in Cuba for years. The paltry salaries ballplayers (and everybody else) are paid on the island doesn’t have any bearing on whether they are playing for a living.