D-backs acquire Heilman from Cubs
Reliever Aaron Heilman was acquired Friday by the Arizona Diamondbacks from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league prospects.
The 31-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 70 appearances last season, striking out 65 and walking 34. He spent six seasons with the New York Mets before he was traded to Seattle last December, then was dealt to the Cubs a month later.
Chicago gets 24-year-old left-hander Scott Maine and 23-year-old infielder Ryne White. Maine, a sixth-round draft pick in 2007, was a combined 4-5 with seven saves and a 2.90 ERA with Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno last season. White, a fourth-round draft pick in 2008, hit .266 with 58 RBIs for Class A Visalia.
The move is intended to bolster an Arizona bullpen that was just one of many problems for the Diamondbacks last season.
Heilman has a career record of 26-37 with 10 saves and a 4.22 ERA in 375 career games.
The Mets traded him to Seattle last December in a three-way deal involving Cleveland. Seven weeks later, the Mariners shipped him to the Cubs for utility infielder Ronny Cedeno and left-hander Garrett Olson.