ESPN New York is reporting that the Diamondbacks are making Didi Gregorius -- and not Chris Owings -- available in trade discussions. Arizona is targeting a starting pitcher to offset the loss of intended Opening Day starter Patrick Corbin (UCL tear). Three D'Back scouts took in a Mets intrasquad game involving Double-A and Triple-A players Tuesday; starters Noah Syndergaard, Logan Verrett and Jacob deGrom all pitched in that game. Over his first 38 games last season, Gregorius hit .322. He slashed .202/.294/.284 in his remaining 65 games. Owings, obviously favored for the starting shortstop job, is one of the game's best prospects at that position.

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports that Diamondbacks scouts were on hand to watch Mets prospects on Tuesday in Port St. Lucie. It's an interesting note given that Didi Gregorius and Chris Owings have come up in trade rumors and the Mets are on the lookout for a shortstop. Owings is reportedly favored for the starting shortstop job for Arizona, so Gregorius might be the more realistic target. Mariners scouts have also been a presence at Mets camp this winter, as speculation continues about a possible match involving Nick Franklin.

Didi Gregorius finished 3-for-4 with three singles and a stolen base on Wednesday against the Dodgers. Gregorius broke out of his spring slump with a multi-hit day. The 24-year-old is competing with Chris Owings for the starting shortstop job.

The offensive woes for Didi Gregorius continued on Friday, as the young shortstop went 0-for-2 in a losing effort against the Athletics. Gregorius is now just 3-for-17 (.176) in the early Cactus League season. He's battling with Chris Owings to become the team's starting shortstop, but neither competitor has come out of the gate swinging. Fantasy owners are likely rooting for Owings to claim the job outright, as he profiles as a much more productive player across the board.

Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers acknowledged Wednesday that he's open to trading a shortstop. Didi Gregorius and Chris Owings are currently battling over starting duties in Diamondbacks camp. The loser of that competition could be shipped to another team before Opening Day. "For us, it would have to be the right deal," Towers told the Arizona Republic. "Our biggest needs in our system are catching. If it's the right, top-notch catching prospect. Someone we could have right behind [Miguel Montero]. More of an upper-level guy. Maybe a top, upper-end starter. We have a lot of bullpen depth, infielders. Maybe an outfielder, but probably more catching and Double-A, Triple-A type starter."

Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said Didi Gregorius is the "favorite" to win the starting shortstop job this spring, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. "To me, the favorite has to be Didi," Towers said. "He was our shortstop last year. For a rookie, I thought he played very, very well." Towers goes on to say he thought Gregorius wore down near the end of the season, contributing to his poor finish at the plate. Gregorius and top prospect Chris Owings will vie for the starting gig in the coming weeks, with the loser likely starting the season at Triple-A Reno. Owings winning the job would certainly be the preference for fantasy owners, but it seems he'll have to earn it. It's definitely a battle worth watching.

Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer Tuesday in an 11-innings loss against the Dodgers. He finished 1-for-4. Gregorius began this season like gangbusters, looking like a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, but he posted OPS' of .589, .673 and .513 in June, July and August, respectively. Those struggles made for an awkward September, because manager Kirk Gibson is auditioning Chris Owings, who absolutely mauled minor league pitching this year, to potentially steal his job in 2014.

Didi Gregorius is batting just .211/.292/.265 over 186 plate appearances since June 1. If we want to take a little more liberty with the end-point, Gregorius is hitting an anemic .184/.260/.235 with one homer and five RBI over 151 plate appearances since June 8. It's been a long, grueling regression to the mean for the precocious shortstop who was batting .322 with an .882 OPS entering play on June 8. Arizona never expected the 23-year-old to hit nearly that well, so they can't be disappointed with the way the situation has unfolded. Gregorius, a glove-first, glove-second shortstop, will remain in the lineup because of his leather. He just isn't worth a roster spot in mixed leagues.

Didi Gregorius went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk as the Diamondbacks' No. 8 hitter on Monday. Gregorius started out his major league career on fire, but he entered tonight at .221/.292/.292 in his last 45 games. The Diamondbacks can't be too disappointed, since he never figured to be much of an offensive asset in the first place. His glove has been as advertised, so he's worthy of his lineup spot.

Didi Gregorius is not in the Diamondbacks' lineup Sunday. Gregorius has predictably faded after a hot start and is batting just .136/.240/.136 over his last seven contests. Cliff Pennington is at shortstop Sunday.