I've been a member of this board for almost 9 years now. Posted quite a few times, and I'd like to believe, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the Diamondbacks, I've tried to always avoid the "this deal sucks, fire the GM" arguments. In fact, I've often smiled upon moves that generally were looked down upon by the ASFN community.
However, I absolutely cannot put a positive spin on this trade, no matter how hard I try. In fact, the moment I found out that Bauer was being sent to Cleveland with Gregorious as the main piece coming back here, I felt ill.
Yes, Trevor may have ruffled a few feathers with Miguel Montero. Yes, he may be a bit of a headcase. You know what else he is? A damn talented pitcher, who has CY YOUNG potential. I'm willing to deal with headcases when they have this kid's upside. Yet, now if/when we see him become that top of the line pitcher, it will be somewhere else, because KT didn't like the guy? Sorry, but here's reality. Didi Gregorious may be a nice guy. He may be a hustler. He may be beloved in the dugout, and even offer to rub Miguel Montero's feet twice an inning. At the end of the day however to say he's worth ANYONE'S top prospect, let alone a pitching prospect who made the Majors in under a full season's worth of play is the mother of all stretches.
How about the fact that Cincinnati's 8th best prospect (he wasn't even the best SHORTSTOP prospect in their organization, that honor goes to Billy Hamilton; and Zack Cozart isn't exactly a dinosaur at 27 and coming off a fine 2012) hit a whopping OBP of .288 in Louisville. Mind you, Chris Young (who 90 percent of this board couldn't wait to send packing) had a .311 OBP last year. Next to Gregorious, Young looks Joey Votto-esque.
Oh and as for the "he's a great defensive SS" stuff I've been hearing online? He committed 40 errors in the last two seasons. That's not great by any stretch.. In fact, that's pretty lousy.
I am well aware Arizona had a void at SS. However, I had grave concerns going into the off-season that KT was going to grossly overpay for one. Sadly, my concerns proved real. I honestly would have rather gone in to 2013 with Pennington at SS than overpay for one. Need a vet? Go sign Ronny Cedeno. Keep him there for a few years until Owings is ready. Sounds quite a bit better than overpaying and giving up a stud pitcher for one, ESPECIALLY one who had a .288 OBP in AAA ball.
I honestly hate pessimism, but this trade is awful and one I can't begin to even THINK of trying to justify.