Byrnes Re-signs

[Ryanwb]

1 year 4.575 million

 

[devilfan02]

Eric Byrnes agrees to 1-year deal per KTAR

KTAR and Gambo and Ash just reported that Eric Byrnes has agreed to a 1 year, 4.57 million dollar deal. Byrnes supposedly wanted $5 mill, the Dbacks offered $4.1, and they settled at $4.57 million.

Gambo said the dbacks never had an interest in signing Byrnes to a longterm deal and he will most likely be gone after this year so Gonzalez or Upton can take over (which we all knew). Our 2008 outfield should be Gonzalez, Young, and Quentin. I wouldn't be surprised if we traded Byrnes by the deadline depending on how we're playing

 

[KingLouieLouie]

1 year 4.575 million

Well... the Dbacks won w/out even having to go to arbitration.... The Dbacks had been offering $4.25 mil (which was the offer they submitted) and Eric Byrnes and his agent were seeking $5 mil......

It appears more and more likely that Byrnes will be traded some time this year... that contract is a bargain and he could probably get 2-3 decent mid-tier prospects in return.......

I envision that Byrnes will be traded some time between May-Aug... it's essentially contingent on the progress of Carlos Gonzalez.... If Gonzalez is ML ready by May....then it's bye-bye Byrnes....

 

[Ryanwb]

What if Upton blows everybody away during spring training again this season? Do you send him down?

 

[devilfan02]

What if Upton blows everybody away during spring training again this season? Do you send him down?

I wanna see what Gonzalez has first. Upton struggled most of last year and he still needs time to get used to playing everyday

 

[Diamondback Jay]

If Upton and Gonzalez blow up in Spring Training, that's a positive light I like to see and a dilemma that does us wonders.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

What if Upton blows everybody away during spring training again this season? Do you send him down?

I'm still in the camp that Upton is best suited to be the Dbacks 2B of the future.... I'm against converting players out of their natural position (even if early on in his development) because it does inhibit him in other areas (it might detract away in his transition in becoming a ML capable hitter).....

Also, placing him into CF forces Chris Young not having a long-term role with the team and I believe Young has the tools to be the next Rickey Henderson or Tim "Rock" Raines....The lead-off hitter of the future who could even be a perennial 30/30 player (he will exceed 50 SB quite easily)..... Perhaps Im vesting too high of expectations into him, but I was impressed of the flashes of brilliance he provided towards the end of last season.... He's a keeper.....

Also, I dont see another long-term 2B..... True, the Dbacks have Hudson, but I think he'll just play another 2 years (including '07) here.......He only signed a 1-yr deal this offseason and he might have incredible trade value come July if the Dbacks are out of contention then...... I know that's a lot if type scenarios, but we shall see.....

Callesp0 is best serve as a utility player and the other middle IF prospects are at the lower levels of the organization.....

 

[devilfan02]

I agree with everything you said, KLL. I would love to see Upton and Drew team up for years in the middle infield. Young seems to be the most logical fit in CF and if he produces, I don't see Byrnes trading him or moving him to another OF spot.

 

[devilalum]

I'm still in the camp that Upton is best suited to be the Dbacks 2B of the future.... I'm against converting players out of their natural position (even if early on in his development) because it does inhibit him in other areas (it might detract away in his transition in becoming a ML capable hitter).....

Also, placing him into CF forces Chris Young not having a long-term role with the team and I believe Young has the tools to be the next Rickey Henderson or Tim "Rock" Raines....The lead-off hitter of the future who could even be a perennial 30/30 player (he will exceed 50 SB quite easily)..... Perhaps Im vesting too high of expectations into him, but I was impressed of the flashes of brilliance he provided towards the end of last season.... He's a keeper.....

Also, I dont see another long-term 2B..... True, the Dbacks have Hudson, but I think he'll just play another 2 years (including '07) here.......He only signed a 1-yr deal this offseason and he might have incredible trade value come July if the Dbacks are out of contention then...... I know that's a lot if type scenarios, but we shall see.....

Callesp0 is best serve as a utility player and the other middle IF prospects are at the lower levels of the organization.....

The great thing about having all these good young prospects is that it increases the odds of a couple of them actually becoming stars.

I'd love to see a list of the players on last years All Star teams and where they were ranked as 20 year olds.

 

[Ryanwb]

The great thing about having all these good young prospects is that it increases the odds of a couple of them actually becoming stars.

I'd love to see a list of the players on last years All Star teams and where they were ranked as 20 year olds.

Where was Brandon Webb ranked in the organization when he was coming up

 

[devilalum]

Where was Brandon Webb ranked in the organization when he was coming up

I seem to remember him being projected as a #3 or 4 starter.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I'm trying to remember the Dbacks top pitching prospects circa '02-'03 (around the time the "Baby Backs" emerged on the scene... Perhaps I'm wrong, but Gosling, Patterson, and perhaps Capuano all ranked ahead of Webb w/Good not too far behind.......

The current make-up of pitchers vying for the 5th spot of this year's rotation is somewhat comparable to those from '02-'03.... No one really stands head-and-shoulders above the rest... True, Owings went 10-0 in Tucson, but that is obviously at the AAA level.. plus by then most of the opponents better players were already playing for their parent club...... Just too premature to get overly excited about him......

I would love Eveland, but we all know conditioning is his main concern.... Imagine 3 lefties in the rotation? That would be amazing.....

My favorites for the 5th spot are Juan Cruz and perhaps Enrique Gonzalez... Cruz has the best "stuff", but it's contingent on how focused he is.... Enrique Gonzalez is the complete package out of all of them.....

I apologize for going off topic, but I think the biggest debate heading into the season is who will be the 5th starter.... I know some like Nippert, but it just seems he lacks a true outpitch.... Perhaps I'm wrong on that assessment......

If the Dbacks did decide to continue the Upton playing CF project.... then perhaps Young would go into LF and Quentin to RF....Therefore, naturally making Carlos Gonzalez the odd man out...... If it came to that situation... I would much rather part w/CarGo compared to the other two.......

Edit:
Quite honestly.... I dread if the Dbacks had to make that decision.. true, you cannot have surplus of talented OFs, but all 4 soon will command lucractive contracts... if the Dbacks do remain fisically responsible, then that shouldnt be a problem....

But... agreeing w/what devalulim stated... imagine having an all-star DP combo (Upton/Drew) along with fellow all-stars Quentin, Young, and CarGo? That would be such a potent team... it is unbelivable.....

The only other position I would consider playing Upton would be 3B.... I just dont envision Tracy being w/the Dbacks beyond '08 (heck I still see him being traded some time this upcoming season)..... I still again feel having Callaspo play a regular position limits his value.. other than that.. who's their long-term option for 3B? It seemed Jamie D'Antonia was, but it seemed he just faltered... Wasnt he as highly regarded as CoJack and Quentin? Oh well....
Upton does have the arm for 3B, so the transition to there wouldnt be as complicated as being converted to a CF.....

Edit 2....
Long-term solution it 2B would be to re-sign Hudson to a 4 year deal.... If he puts up the stats as he did last season along with earning another Gold Glove...he would warrant even more than what the Phillies extended Utley for...... Hudson still has some upside.. seems like a player who improves his game each and every season.. and is an excellence presence in the clubhouse as well...