The D-Backs are still looking to move one of their three shortstops and are in the market for a top-flight catching prospect or a top-end starter, says D-Backs GM Kevin Towers.
“For us, it would have to be the right deal,” Towers said. “Our biggest needs in our system are catching. If it’s the right, top-notch catching prospect.”
“It’s been pretty quiet of late,” Towers said. “With Stephen Drew still out there right now, I haven’t had much trade discussions. … For us, it would have to be the right deal,”
Nick Piecoro writes that the D’Backs have Chris Owings, who seems to be the most desirable here on MMO, but they could also move Didi Gregorius or even Cliff Pennington.
Owings, 22, debuted last season and batted .291/.361/.382 in 61 plate appearances. He is a toolsy shortstop with a solid glove, good speed and big-time gap power. At Triple-A before he was promoted, the 2009 first-rounder batted .330/.359/.482 with 31 doubles, 12 home runs and 81 RBIs in 546 at-bats.
We discussed Owings on our comment threads last night, but even if they were to accept Kevin Plawecki for one of them, would you do the trade?
I find it difficult to move Plawecki mostly because Travis d’Arnaud‘s debut last season gives me pause. I wouldn’t feel comfortable trading Plawecki unless I knew for sure what TDA can do at this level. At 25, d’Arnaud has to make the leap from prospect to productive major league catcher.
I’m not so sure we match up with the D’Backs anyway, and that’s probably why the two teams haven’t discussed a shortstop trade in months despite our dire need. Or maybe it’s because there’s still some bad blood between Towers and Alderson from their time together in San Diego as I heard last night.
The Yankees are also looking for a shortstop and yesterday they said they were “out of money” and looking to make a trade. They have catchers they can move including the very desirable prospect Gary Sanchez.
The other thing is that I doubt that Towers moves Owings for Plawecki alone. It’s going to take a young arm to sweeten the deal, perhaps even Rafael Montero, but at minimum I’d say Jacob deGrom or a Jack Leathersich.
