The Diamondbacks announced that they’ve acquired infielder Deven Marrero from the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Marrero was out of minor league options.
A former first-round pick by Boston, Marrero hasn’t been able to live up to his pre-draft billing. The 27-year-old righty hitter owns a career slash line of just .208/.259/.309, earning just 258 plate appearances at the big league level across the past three seasons. He’s struck out well over 30% of the time during that span.
Even in the upper minors, Marrero hasn’t shown a whole lot of promise. He hit .240/.266/.361 at Tripe-A Pawtucket last seasons with a meager 3.1% walk rate and a wRC+ of just 69. Only once in the minors has he managed to exceed a .375 slugging percentage, and though he managed to steal at least 25 bases in each of his first two minor league seasons, that hasn’t translated to the upper minors or at the MLB level.
The Sox have played Marrero at second base, shortstop and third base throughout his major league career, but the club had no real need to hold onto both him and fellow utilityman Brock Holt. The Diamondbacks, however, were in need of an outfielder following a recent pectoral injury to Steven Souza Jr., and with a particular urgency since they’re rumored to be considering optioning outfielder Yasmany Tomas to the minors. While Marrero has no experience in the outfield, his presence on the roster should allow Chris Owings to shift to the outfield for the time being.
The missing World Series piece for the Diamondbacks. The Sox will probably use the cash to buy plastic to cover their lockers.
I mean this makes no note of his fantastic glove. But a team that is pretty desperate for offense can only have so many defense first players on the roster. Swaggy D will be missed, especially by the ladies
Missed in Pawtucket perhaps
Meh. The road to and from AAA is littered with no bat-all glove players. He’s a fine defender but so is Holt and he can play IF & OF and hits better than DM. If someone had to go to keep Swihart up he was the guy.
In agreement but you can’t compare a decent infielder like Holt and an elite defender like Marrero. Holt hit in spring training and can also play all three outfield positions. His value is while not being great at any position, he won’t hurt you and won’t normally be pinch hit for once he enters. With only four reserves, that’s important. I’m still hoping for a rule limiting the roster to eleven pitchers. That would force them to learn how to pitch and not just throw. Would probably eventually reduce injuries and definitely would speed up the game. As for Marerro, AZ is familiar with him and it’s an opportunity he deserves.
Honestly at this point Marrero was more valuable to Boston than swihart
I guess JD your talking until Pedroia returns but I don’t agree. Swihart at one time was considered amongst the best prospects in the game when he got hurt. He’s healthy now and actually a better runner despite being listed as a catcher. While he hits left handed better, he’s a switch hitter and still better at the plate righthanded than Marerro. Until Pedie comes back when sometimes they will have Nunez on the bench, they need his right bench bat for interleague games than HanRam starts.
Holt is awful at everything
Why don’t you go out there and take Brock holts spot on the six and we’ll see who’s awful. The guy has done everything the Red Sox have asked from him. He’s not an everyday starter, so you can’t expect him to be blossoming as other players do because he does not get enough play time. He’s the ultimate utility guy with an awesome personality. What else do you want from the guy?
Unless Leon is hitting 300 when pedroia gets back, he’s the one who goes and Swihart becomes the backup
Yeah, got to at least mention the glove so D’back fans know what they’re getting. He’s brilliant with the mitt, but the man can’t hit.
“Brilliant” is overselling it quite a bit… he’s a plus defender.
Dude couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn…..I’d take average bat and average defense over great glove any day of the week and twice on Sundays…It is a good stop gap for the D’backs though.
With Nunez, Holt and (eventually) Marco Hernandez, Marrero was gone anyways. Best of luck to him. Hope he does well.
Red Sox couldn’t get anyone to take Holt’s contract off their hands. Unfortunate for them because if Bogaerts gets hurt then Nunez would be starting at SS.
??? Holt has an option but actually won the utility job this spring. I love the guy but with Swihart also not having options left, he could still be sent down when Pedroia comes back barring an injury.
Pretty sad when you’re traded for Mr. Insignificant from the other team
Great we are getting another nick Ahmed.