New Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen could be looking to shed more payroll after trading shortstop Jean Segura to the Seattle Mariners. Segura had a career year in 2016 in his only season with the D-Backs, but he is arbitration eligible and is projected to make $7.3 million by MLBTR. That’s quite a jump from the $2.6 million salary he made in 2016 and an expensive piece for a team looking to cut payroll.
In another cost cutting move, Buster Olney of ESPN, thinks it would be a good idea for the Diamondbacks to dangle outfielder A.J. Pollock in trade talks this offseason.
One team that he mentions would be a fit for Pollock is the New York Mets if they’re unable to re-sign outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Pollock, 28, is coming off a lost season in which he had only 41 at-bats because of elbow surgery in April. The right-handed hitting centerfielder didn’t make his 2016 season debut until August 26th. He was only able to play 12 games before a strained groin put him on the shelf for the rest of the season.
The 2015 season was a much different story for Pollock, as he was one of the better players in all of baseball with a 7.4 bWAR. He was an all-star, gold glover and finished 14th in National League MVP voting. He hit .315/.367/.498 with 39 doubles, 20 home runs, 76 RBI, 111 runs scored and 39 stolen bases.
Pollock was no slouch on defense in 2015 with 14 defensive runs saved, tied for fourth among major league centerfielders. That coming after having 10 defensive runs saved in 2014 and 15 in 2013.
The dynamic outfielder is under contract for two more seasons, making $6.75 million in 2017 and is arbitration eligible after the season. Making him very affordable for a potential trade partner money wise but also makes him expensive in the terms of prospects or young controllable players that the D-Backs will be seeking in return.
Pollock is certainly the type of player that the Mets should be looking to acquire if Cespedes moves on, but at what cost? And will he return to his 2015 form?
