Arizona Diamondbacks: Shelby Miller traded to Arizona

Shelby Miller joins newly acquired Ace Zack Greinke as a leader on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching staff. [ESPN Baseball Tonight via Twitter @BBTN]

ARIZONA – After one spectacular season with the Braves, Shelby Miller is on the move yet again. Last night during the winter meetings the Diamondbacks and the Braves made a very intricate trade. The Braves acquired Aaron Blain, Ender Inciarte, and 2015 No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson in return for Shelby Miller. Looking at the trade, the Diamondbacks got the better deal in the end.

Although Shelby Miller’s 6-17 record might look alarming, Miller posted a 3.02 ERA and struck out 171. Miller was also made an appearance in the 2015 all-star game. Not only that, but Shelby Miller came extremely close to a no no last season, only for it to be ruined with one out left. Shelby Miller’s record will look more appropriate in Arizona due to a huge increase in offensive help. The Diamondbacks were ranked eighth on the MLB 2015 Batting Statistics. The Braves finished last. The Diamondbacks had 54 more home runs than the Braves and a .738 OPS compared to a .674 OPS. If Shelby Miller continued to play for the Braves, he wouldn’t get the offensive back up he needs to post the numbers he’s capable of.

The Diamondbacks might have parted with Dansby Swanson, but they have addressed their major problem. With the acquisition of Shelby Miller, the Diamondbacks are looking at a lower batting avg. and lower ERA for opposing teams. The Diamondbacks finished 16th for pitching stats during the 2015 season. They posted an overall 4.04 ERA and a .258 batting average for opposing teams. Shelby Miller looks promising for them due to the fact he only let up 69 earned runs in 23 starts last season. After picking up Miller and Greinke, the Diamondbacks are looking at an elite pitching staff. With the Diamondbacks also in heavy pursuit of FA Mike Leake, the rest of the west coast should be worried about winning their division.

Diamond backs continue to be hot: Shelby Miller to Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks are not going halfway this off-season as they aim to contend among the best in the NL in 2016 [Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports]

Atlanta didn’t just part with the ace of their rotation though, the Braves got a huge boost in offensive power. They might of not got Arizona’s hot CF, AJ Pollock, but they got the No. 1 pick of the 2015 draft. Dansby Swanson hit .335 with 15 home runs at Vanderbilt and will be on the Atlanta team after the new stadium is built. Unless the Braves trade Andrelton Simmons, Swanson well probably shift to second or third. The Braves also got Ender Inciarte, who posted very promising numbers last season. The 25 year old posted a .303 batting avg. with six home runs. Although the Braves missed out on AJ Pollock, Atlanta is looking at their new leadoff man. Another great player they acquire was Arizona’s Triple-A player Aaron Blair. Blair, 23, posted a promising 3.62 ERA with a .778 win to lose percentage.

Even though both sides added much needed assets to their team, the Diamondbacks are looking in better shape right now than the Braves. The Diamondbacks now have two aces on their pitching staff and are still shopping for more. The Diamondbacks lineup well not be as badly affected due to their outfield already being stacked. Aaron Blair also won’t be missed since the Diamondbacks have signed Miller and Greinke. Although the Braves solved a big problem in lack of offense, they will need to wait two to three years for it to be in full effect. The NL West better look out because the Diamondbacks are the new pests of the west.

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Christopher Bello