Ex-Diamondbacks GM regrets trading Swanson to Braves
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.
HEADLINES
- Umpire ejects Yankees' Boone over fan's heckle
- Report: Orioles to call up 2020 No. 2 pick Kjerstad
- Suárez runs shutout streak to 25 IP as Phillies win 7th straight
- Brewers' Junis taken to hospital after struck in neck by ball during batting practice
- Orioles move into 1st in AL East with 10th win in last 13 games