(SportsNetwork.com) - When former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers acquired Didi Gregorius from the Cincinnati Reds back in 2012 he said the shortstop reminded him of a young Derek Jeter.
Gregorius now appears to be the one who will replace Jeter, as the New York Yankees are reportedly close to obtaining the slick-fielding shortstop from the Diamondbacks as part of a three-team deal with the Detroit Tigers.
WFAN Radio in New York, as well as Fox Sports, indicated that New York will send right-hander Shane Greene to Detroit, while the Tigers will ship lefty Robbie Ray and perhaps another player to the Diamondbacks to complete the deal.
Known more for his glove than his bat, Gregorius hit just .226 with a .290 on- base percentage in 80 games last season for the Diamondbacks. For his career, the 24-year-old Gregorius is only a .243 hitter in 191 games with the Reds and D-backs.
Greene pitched well in his first big league season a year ago, going 5-4 with a 3.78 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) for the Yankees. He also struck out 81 batters in 78 2/3 innings.
Ray, meanwhile, appeared in nine games (6 starts) for the Tigers last season and was 1-4 with an 8.16 ERA. He was also traded last winter from Washington in the deal that sent Doug Fister to Detroit.
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