Skip to content

Ex-Diamondbacks GM regrets trading Swanson to Braves

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

Former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart has had plenty of time to reflect since his firing in October.

During his two seasons at the helm, Stewart made a handful of moves that eventually led to his dismissal, but he believes his decision to trade 2015 No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson, outfielder Ender Inciarte, and right-hander Aaron Blair to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for right-hander Shelby Miller and pitching prospect Gabe Speier may have been his worst.

"I should have stuck to my gut, although I think that Shelby Miller is going to be everything I thought he was going to be when I traded for him. But my gut the whole time said not to trade Dansby Swanson," Stewart told MLB Network Radio, according to USA TODAY Sports.

"I ended up giving in to it and letting, in my opinion, a good player get away. If anything, maybe substituting with another player, that may have been the one thing that I wish I could have a redo."

Miller's first season in the desert was a complete disaster, with the 26-year-old going 3-12 with a career-worst 6.15 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across 101 innings. He was even demoted to Triple-A for eight starts.

Swanson, meanwhile, enjoyed a strong start to his major-league career after being called up in August. He hit .302/.361/.442 with three home runs and seven doubles in 38 games and heads into the 2017 season as Atlanta's starting shortstop.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox