Diamondbacks GM does not anticipate trading Didi Gregorius or Chris Owings
Mar 26, 2014, 5:33 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers says there are no plans in the works to trade whichever shortstop does not win a spot on the major league roster.
Granted, he probably wouldn’t say if he was planning on trading either Didi Gregorius or Chris Owings, but when talking to Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday, he gave no indication that a deal is in the team’s future, regardless of recent reports.
“We have gotten a lot of calls on our infielders just because of some of the injuries to infielders with other ball clubs, but I don’t anticipate making a trade with any of our infielders,” he said.
All spring the battle has been between Owings, the 2013 Pacific Coast League MVP, and Gregorius, the D-backs’ starting shortstop for the majority of the 2013 campaign. Veteran Cliff Pennington is also in the mix, but his roster spot as a utility infielder appears to be pretty secure, with the competition being between the pair of younger players.
Each started one game and had one pinch hit appearance in Sydney, Australia. Owings, who is considered to be the better hitter of the two, went 1-for-4 with one walk and two strikeouts, while Gregorius was 0-for-4 with one walk and a pair of strikeouts.
“It still is not determined if we on Monday go with two infielders or go with one infielder, which infielder it is,” the GM said. “Those decisions don’t have to be made until probably Saturday after the game.
“But I don’t anticipate moving any of my infielders. I think all remain either with the Diamondbacks or Reno Aces.”