Diamondbacks, Mariners Swap Segura, Walker: Fantasy Fallout

By Bill Pivetz | Nov 24, 2016

Aug 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura (2) singles during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

The Diamondbacks agreed to trade Jean Segura and others to the Mariners for Taijuan Walker and Ketel Marte Wednesday night. What is the fantasy fallout of the trade?

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners agreed to a trade Wednesday night. Arizona will receive starting pitcher Taijuan Walker and shortstop Ketel Marte in exchange for Jean Segura and a couple of other pieces. While the names aren’t in the elite class, this is still a big deal. What is the fantasy impact of the trade?

The Diamondbacks add a former top-10 pitching prospect in Walker. In his first two full seasons with the Mariners, he has a combined 4.41 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 54 starts. His 8.2 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 aren’t bad, so there is still something there.

He dealt with a foot injury during the season and underwent surgery back in October. It’s likely Walker will be ready to compete for a rotation spot in 2017. He will join Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Patrick Corbin, Shelby Miller, Rubby De La Rosa, Archie Bradley and Braden Shipley. I think Greinke, Ray, Corbin and Miller will be the four with Walker rounding out the rotation.

Marte is someone who could get overlooked in this trade. In 119 games, he hit .259 with 33 RBI, 11 steals and a .287 on-base percentage.

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His lack of power, only one home run, hindered his value. He finished No. 40 among qualified shortstops on the Player Rater.

He didn’t have the best season, but could have a breakout year in Arizona next season. Marte is just 23 years old and if he develops more, he could be the Diamondbacks starter for years.

Speaking of shortstops, the Mariners added the second-best fantasy shortstop. Segura finished No. 2 behind Jonathan Villar.

After a couple of average seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, .266/.302/.361 with 23 home runs, 144 RBI and 96 steals, he had his breakout season in Arizona.

Segura posted many career highs across the board. In 153 games, he hit 20 home runs, 64 RBI and a .319 average. He stole 33 bases in 43 attempts and had a 101:39 K:BB ratio with a .368 OBP. He posted his first 200-hit season.

Segura spent most of the season at second base, 137 games, but the Mariners kind of already have someone at second base. Maybe you’ve heard of Robinson Cano? With Marte involved in the trade, there is a vacancy at shortstop. Segura will still have eligibility at both positions, increasing his value a bit.

The other two players that the Mariners receive are outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-handed pitcher Zac Curtis. Haniger made his big-league debut in 2016 and batted a modest .229/.309/.404 in 123 plate appearances.

Curtis had a decent season with Double-A Mobile. He posted a 3.20 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 30 strikeouts and six walks in 19.2 innings. He could be a piece of the Mariners bullpen down the stretch.

Next: Fantasy Baseball 2017: Robinson Cano is still pretty good

These may not be big enough names to excite fantasy baseball owners, but there is a lot of impact. Walker pitching in the National League could boost his performance. Segura joins a better hitting offense with Cano, Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz. Marte may see a similar breakout Segura had last season.

Their rankings do not change, but I think they all have a bit more upside heading into next season.

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