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D-Backs GM: Trading for Miller hasn't worked out

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart was heavily criticized for the haul of prospects he sent to Atlanta for Shelby Miller, and the early returns have justified that scrutiny.

Miller, who was dealt for outfielder Ender Inciarte, top prospect Dansby Swanson and right-hander Aaron Blair, was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday after posting a 7.14 ERA over his first 14 starts with the Diamondbacks.

"This trade, to this point, hasn't worked out," Stewart told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "I've made trades that have worked out. You make trades and sometimes the impact is immediate, both in the good and the bad. That's to be expected."

Miller was one half of an offseason overhaul that also saw the Diamondbacks shell out $206.5 million for Zack Greinke. The duo have combined to go 12-12 while Arizona enters Saturday 15 games under .500.

Swanson, on the other hand, is currently the Braves' No. 1 prospect. He's put together a solid season in Double-A, slashing .269/.350/.417 with six home runs, 10 doubles, and four triples in 61 games. Inciarte and Blair have struggled at the major-league level this season but are still just 25 and 24 years old, respectively.

While the early returns have been far from what the Diamondbacks expected from Miller, Stewart acknowledges that it's too soon to write off the 25-year-old right-hander who is under team control through the 2018 season.

"I think that's what magnifies it, is what we gave up to get him," Stewart said. "I don't think anybody would be saying a word if he were 9-2 with a 2.00 ERA, but because it hasn't turned out that way, then it looks to be a bad deal.

"But once again, we made a deal for this year and we've got him next year and the year after that. This is a deal that this year doesn't look to be that great of a deal, but if he comes out and wins 20 in back-to-back years, then it looks like a great deal. We just have to see what happens."

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