Alomar Being Reactivated On Monday

[KingLouieLouie]

Alomar closer

Second baseman Roberto Alomar, who has missed 54 games with a broken right hand, will join Tucson today in Salt Lake for a brief rehab assignment.

Plans are for Alomar to play two games with the Sidewinders and, if all goes well, he'll join the Diamondbacks in San Diego on Monday, the day he is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list.

Rumors have swirled that the team might trade Alomar upon his return or perhaps release him, but General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. denied them.

"I have no plans to do that," he said. "Obviously, as with any player, if somebody approached me with something that made sense, you'd think about it, but I'm not going to release him."

This shall be interesting since the Dbacks will have to obviously make a roster move (probably demote either Olson, Zinter, or Green), but the most significant decision is how to put Alomar into the everyday line-up.....

The reason why he should play on a daily basis will be for the purpose of showcasing him.....Alomar does have some redeemable value, but I wonder if he has a trade-clause....I guess he had rejected more lucrative deals this offseason to be signed by the Dbacks since he loves AZ, the organization, and has a strong bond with Baerga.......

I just hope though that this all wont be at the expense of Hairston since he's the long-term 2B of the future....I know there were rumors of converting Hairston into an OF, but they cant really afford to keep Bautista, Finley, or Gonzalez out of the line-up....

Perhaps start Hairston at SS over Cintron? That might be an interesting scenario due to Cintron's struggles as of late......

I just hope that Joe Jr. keeps an open-mind and deals Alomar (if the opportunity does present itself), since more than likely he wont be back in a Dbacks uniform next season.....

 

[AZZenny]

Alomar and Colby were activated today; DeVore designated for assignment, and Zinter on the 15-day-DL with knee or foot something-or-other.

BUT! The exciting news - tonight The Three Amigos, aka The Big Three from single-A Lancaster Jethawks - Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin, and Jaime D'Antona - are going to El Paso, along with their two best pitchers, Jason Bulger and Clint Goocher, and infielder Neb Brown.
mlb.com is also predicting Conor Jackson will be one of the All-Star Futures game players named tomorrow.

Josh Kroeger goes from El Paso to Tucson, also a timely move, and El Paso ships a handful of guys to Lancaster.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Alomar and Colby were activated today; DeVore designated for assignment, and Zinter on the 15-day-DL with knee or foot something-or-other.

BUT! The exciting news - tonight The Three Amigos, aka The Big Three from single-A Lancaster Jethawks - Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin, and Jaime D'Antona - are going to El Paso, along with their two best pitchers, Jason Bulger and Clint Goocher, and infielder Neb Brown.
mlb.com is also predicting Conor Jackson will be one of the All-Star Futures game players named tomorrow.

Josh Kroeger goes from El Paso to Tucson, also a timely move, and El Paso ships a handful of guys to Lancaster.

Okay, now since they demoted DeVore (which isnt a complete shock since he hasnt been playing recently), I have a quick question..... Who's now their 4th OF? Especially if they need someone to fill in as Gonzo's late inning defensive replacement... Do they put Hairston in the OF now that they will try to showcase Alomar?

I hope that they do trade Bautista and Finley in between the All-Star Break and Training Deadline so either Conor Jackson, Quentin, or D'Antona will be promoted since they're all the OFs of the future....I wonder where Terrero will play once he's available? Maybe one will be packaged in a trade? I still like Marland Williams and believe he deserves an opportunity before the season is over.....He's ideal with his speed and line-drive abilities...

Now that Benito Santiago may be out of the Royals line-up for an extended period, I wouldnt be shocked to see Mayne dealt back there once he's fully recovered from his injury......

 

[AZZenny]

I'd assume Robby Hammock is first back up OF - Tracy can also and so can Olson or Hairston (which would be a shame. He's our second baseman, leave him there. ) (or maybe Alomar in the OF. Heh heh. Or trade him!)
Josh Kroeger (hitting over .320 in El Paso, and a cannon arm) would be the emergency call-up if Terrero is not yet returned to play - but he should be cleared to play any time now. He had a 3-week anger course to finish and started in early June.

Conor and Carlos are OF, but shouldn't expect to see them or Jaime up here until maybe middle of 2005 at the earliest - El Paso to finish this summer, AZFL possibly this fall, Tucson next season, barring setbacks. D-Antona is a third baseman with huge power - They are all hitting betwen .310 and .345, over 50 RBI and about a dozen HR and doubles apiece. (Don't slip in that drool puddle!)
Now admittedly, Our Cal league park is very hitter-friendly, and so are El Paso and Tucson, compared to BOB, but these guys are standouts even in that league. Conor likely will revert to hitting more doubles (he broke the short-season NW record with 35 in 68 games last season) in a larger park, but I can live with that.

If any of those three are traded - I don't care if it's for Mark Prior! - I will tear my season tickets to confetti and personally deliver the mess to Colangelo. Period. That would be unforgiveable.

 

[Ryanwb]

I would hate to see Hairston lose playing time to Alomar. I also feel that Cintron needs to sit, his defense has been god awful and his bat is dead quiet.

So can Hairston play SS?? Put Alomar at 2B and Hairston at SS and let Cintron ride the pine for a while

 

[BC867]

Robby has already quoted to the Press that he was surprised and disappointed that he wasn't in the starting lineup as soon as he was activated.

Aside from hinting that Alomar is not going to be his regular 2B, Brenly gave some quotes that left everyone in the dark, of course.

 

[AZZenny]

The article I read on-line sounded like BB was pretty up front - Brenly is quoted as saying Hairston is his starter at 2nd, Alomar might get a start once a week and in a late inning switch. Alomar said he appreciated the honesty but that was not what he planned to do thenkyewverrymuch, and he would reconsider his options. JoeBlows said he wasn't prepared to comment yet.
Alomar won't start

Now, what you should expect, BC867, is that suddenly Alomar gets a string of starts, being showcased (at Joe's orders), which reverses Brenly's stated position and confuses everyone. THAT would be typical of this bunch.

 

[SunCityCarl]

Alomar - "Trade would be best."

The faster they dump this pile of dung former umpire washer the better!



http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/0623dbnotes0623.html

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It's doubtful gets traded. If he does, it will be for nothing more than a bag of batting practice balls. Look for him to clear waivers and sign with some scrub team where he can get ABs and try to reach 3,000. Another great signing by Joe "I like to sign washed-up players" Garagiola.

 

[az240zz]

Why couldn't they move Hairston to SS and give Alomar a week to prove that he's washed up. It isn't as if Cintron is playing lights out. I would guess that Alomar and Cintron hitting are equal and ther wouldn't be any loss of ability on the field.

az240z

 

[KingLouieLouie]

It's doubtful gets traded. If he does, it will be for nothing more than a bag of batting practice balls. Look for him to clear waivers and sign with some scrub team where he can get ABs and try to reach 3,000. Another great signing by Joe "I like to sign washed-up players" Garagiola.

If a contending team loses a 2B due to injury between now and the trading deadline and are in desperate need of one...Alomar would be the most logical choice....

I obviously wouldnt expect much in return for him, but at least they would remove someone who is gradually becoming a cancer in the locker-room.....

The fact that he would come cheap (would essentially be a "rent-a-player") and also how he's striving for 3000 hits (means he would be out there to prove his worth for whoever acquires him) makes him more appealing.... I just dont want him to cause more disharmony than he already has and detract away from Hairston's development whatsoever....

It's just best not to let Alomar "walk".....It's obvious he wont be in a Dbacks uniform next season regardless....

Why couldn't they move Hairston to SS and give Alomar a week to prove that he's washed up. It isn't as if Cintron is playing lights out. I would guess that Alomar and Cintron hitting are equal and ther wouldn't be any loss of ability on the field.

I definitely agree with you on that....Plus the fact that Cintron doesnt seem to be the long-term SS of the future (either Sergio Santos or Stephen Drew might be) is even more of a reason not to use him on a regular basis.... He's just a "stop-gap" until Santos is ready or whenever Drew is signed and progresses through the organization, and personally to me Cintron has hit his peak and will never improve further than he already has......

 

[schillingfan]

I obviously wouldnt expect much in return for him, but at least they would remove someone who is gradually becoming a cancer in the locker-room.....

I'm curious how Alomar is becoming a cancer in the locker room.

I hated the signing when they made it. There is a reason he's a perennial all-star 2B who has played with a ton of teams.

 

[DbaxJ]

thats prolly the perception since his comments about wanting to be traded!

 

[AZZenny]

He didn't show up for the game the other night, after being told of his bench status, with no explanation.
That's a pretty good start on being a clubhouse problem. Sure not going to go over well here, but sounds consistent with some of the reports over the years.

 

[schillingfan]

He didn't show up for the game the other night, after being told of his bench status, with no explanation.
That's a pretty good start on being a clubhouse problem. Sure not going to go over well here, but sounds consistent with some of the reports over the years.

He didn't show up for the game???? As in 24 guys in the dugout and no Alomar? You've got to be kidding. That goes beyond being a cancer.

 

[AZZenny]

I misspoke - sorry - but not much better:

VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX
Although you can certainly feel for Roberto Alomar, a likely Hall of Famer, losing his starting job at second base because of a hand injury and the play of rookie Scott Hairston, there comes a bit of disconcerting news:

Alomar apparently was unavailable for pinch-hitting duties Monday night after learning about his demotion. He wasn't on the bench and couldn't immediately be found. Maybe there were mitigating circumstances. Maybe Alomar was pouting. Nobody really wants to discuss it and hopefully, there's nothing more to it. Alomar did pinch-hit the next night.

- Bob McManaman

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I'm curious how Alomar is becoming a cancer in the locker room.

I hated the signing when they made it. There is a reason he's a perennial all-star 2B who has played with a ton of teams.

DBaxJ nailed down as to why I deemed Alomar becoming a "cancer"....

Alomar obviously is only looking at his best interest (who would blame him though) because he still wants 3000 hits to legitimize his induction into Cooperstown..... In the process, he's causing some sort of disharmony in the lockerroom, which would even force Hairston to feel uncomfortable and lose his focus..

I must admit that I waffled when the Dbacks initially signed Alomar.... At first, I was totally opposed since I believed that Kata and Baerga will adequate enough to platoon at least for this season at 2B until Hairston was ready.... Then, I began to think that Alomar would be a wonderful veteran presence in the lockerroom (especially for Cintron), however, with Alomar's most recent episode....Isnt that being the wrong influence for the younger players to set as an example of? Absolutely!

So, that essentially is a "cancer" and unfortunately everything may get worse with him unless logic finally prevails with the Dbacks and Alomar is granted his wish to be traded.....And Hairston remains the every day 2B minus any distractions or roadblocks....

 

[BC867]

Alomar was very, very diplomatic in his comments quoted in today's Republic.

The only negative thing he said echoed Lyle Overbay's criticism of the D'backs manager when he left:

I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed. I tried to get ready and I came here to play. No, I'm not mad. ... But they don't always seem to communicate with you very well here. That's all.

"They don't always seem to communicate with you very well here."

How many more players will it take saying that, for Bob Brenly to be replaced with someone who has proven himself as a complete Manager?

I'll bet if you asked each of the BabyBacks about their former Manager, Al Pedrique, the answer would be different.

Skilled managers anticipate and head off problems before they become public -- through communications.

 

[AZZenny]

He also said that Brenly - by name - had communicated with him directly and honestly and he appreciated that, so cherry pick the comments to your heart's content. I am not sure BB is the one always being referred to on this point - Matt Wms, Dellucci, and Barajas all indicated it was at the level of the GM's office that they got no communication, even when they actively sought it. (If BB looks like he changes his mind on things he's said, its just possible he's a recipient of bad communication from above, too.)

 

[BC867]

I am not sure BB is the one always being referred to on this point - Matt Wms, Dellucci, and Barajas all indicated it was at the level of the GM's office that they got no communication, even when they actively sought it.

A General Manager shouldn't be giving direction to the work force, whether in a Shipping Dept. at Motorola or on a baseball team.

When a ballplayer says, ""They don't always seem to communicate with you very well here.", I should hope he referring to his Manager, rather than his boss' boss.

Top Brass bypassing the Manager would cause chaos. Don'tcha think?

 

[WizardOfAz]

Good thing they let him stick around a bit longer....

 

[SunCityCarl]

Good thing they let him stick around a bit longer....

Though I'm sure he will be gone, I can't deny it he has been hitting the snot out of the ball to the break!

 

[NJYAJ09]

I hope if randy can get traded we can throw in Alomar so we can get his butt off our team.