Jason Marquis Traded to Diamondbacks
By Editorial Staff
The Washington Nationals are in the midst of a busy trade deadline, and they continued their active July by dealing starter Jason Marquis to the Diamondbacks for minor league infielder Zach Walters.
Arizona acquired Marquis in hopes that the 32 year old will aid the club in their chase of the NL West leading Giants. The Diamondbacks are currently 4 games back of San Francisco and hope Marquis can help close that gap.
Marquis has been solid for the Nationals in 2011, his second season in Washington. Over his 20 starts, the right hander has maintained an ERA of 3.95 in 120.2 innings.
Over his 12 year major league career, Marquis has held an ERA of 4.52. He’s only known the National League, pitching for the Braves, Cardinals, Cubs and Rockies before joining the Nationals in 2010.
Zachary Walters was drafted by Washington in the 9th round of last year’s draft. The 21 year old was hitting at a clip of .302/.377/.485 with 42 extra base hits, 56 RBI’s and 69 runs scored over 97 games with the Nationals Single-A affiliate.
While the numbers are impressive, Walters is a man without a true position. He started all 62 of his games in 2010 at shortstop, but has moved around the infield this year. While still making a majority of his starts at short in 2011, Walters has also played second and third base.
For more on the Nationals and Diamondbacks, be sure to check out District on Deck and Venom Strikes.