Diamondbacks strike for Shelby Miller in trade with Braves

Most notably, the Diamondbacks have checked in on Atlanta Braves right-hander Shelby Miller, but sources indicate the clubs have had trouble finding common ground.

The exorbitant cost of starters this offseason has forced many teams to explore the trade market in hopes of landing a cost-controlled starter.

Miller, 25, had a 3.02 ERA in 2015, his first season with Atlanta after starting his career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Greinke is set to anchor a new-look rotation that also could include Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa and Robbie Ray. "That's a part of our future and a great part of our futures, but we've got second round picks, third round picks, fourth round picks...the draft goes to 40". The Braves also traded shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the Angels in exchange for Erick Aybar, Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis last month.

The Diamondbacks will receive 20-year-old left-handed pitching prospect Gabe Speier to complete the trade. He's another Tommy John survivor, having had the surgery in 2013, at the tender age of 18.

Dansby Swanson likely got a little closer to the Major Leagues on Tuesday. Inciarte, 25, is a one of the best defenders in the outfield and is also versatile. His defense was excellent, contributing heavily to his 5.3 bWAR. Thus, their very aggressive play for Miller, one of the last remaining valuable commodities owned by the decimated Braves. The Diamondbacks explored both avenues in signing Greinke and going after Miller.

Blair, 23, went 13-5 with a 2.92 ERA last season in 26 combined games with Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno. He was a particular fan favorite on the 'Pit, not least because his father was a regular visitor here over the past year - and, naturally, stout defender of his son!

The last time a first-overall MLB draft pick was traded before making his big league appearance was when 2000 No. 1 pick Adrian Gonzalez was traded from the Florida Marlins to the Texas Rangers in 2003. They heard a chorus of rave reviews over the package of talent they wrested from the Diamondbacks in the deal.

"When did this guy become Walter Johnson?" one exec said of Miller, who has a 3.27 ERA and allowed 1.243 walks and hits per inning pitched in his three full major-league seasons as a starter. Those who value prospects are, entirely predictably, eviscerating this trade, e.g. painting it as "proof that executives Dave Stewart and Tony La Russa are out of touch in the analytics game".

The Braves traded away another of their best and most popular players Tuesday, but this time it should be tough for many to criticize the move based on the impressive return they got from the Diamondbacks.

The Rockies have finished in last place or next to last in each of the past five seasons, never exceeding 74 victories.

It appears the Diamondbacks are going all-in a year after finishing with the worst record in baseball.

There are some deals, particularly those involving prospects, that can't begin to be accurately assessed for years. The prospect hawks were quick to pan the Miller deal.

Mark Bowman, beat writer for MLB.com, believes that in trading Miller to Arizona, the Braves have obtained two excellent prospects in right-hander Aaron Blair and shortstop Dansby Swanson, along with a starting ouutfielder, Ender Inciarte.